( LEAD ) Consumer activists call for compensation over ' radon mattress ' scandal ( ATTN : ADDS recall plans at bottom ) By Kim Kwang - tae SEOUL , May 21 ( Yonhap ) -- Dozens of consumer activists on Monday pressed a local bed company to compensate consumers for selling beds that have been found to emit radiation levels that exceed safety limits . The activists also called on the government to ensure that Daijin Bed Co . will compensate consumers over the matter , with many at the gathering in downtown Seoul holding pickets that read " Swift handling of radon bed compensation . " Dozens of consumer activists call on Daijin Bed Co . to compensate consumers for selling beds that emitted radon up to 9 . 3 times the national standard during a rally in front of South Korea ' s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in central Seoul on May 21 , 2018 . ( Yonhap ) The angry public reaction comes after South Korea ' s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced last week that some of Daijin Bed ' s mattresses emitted radon at levels up to 9 . 3 times the national standard . Being exposed to radon -- a colorless , odorless , radioactive gas -- for a long period of time can lead to lung cancer , according to the American Cancer Society . A bus driver who participated in rally in front of South Korea ' s nuclear safety agency in central Seoul claimed that he had surgery to treat stomach cancer last year after having used a Daijin Bed mattress since 2010 . The 57 - year - old -- who identified himself only by his family name Chung -- said his wife has been suffering from thyroid nodules and a rash . " I have concerns that the bed may have caused health problems for me and my wife , " the driver said after attending the rally . The couple called on Daijin Bed to quickly recall its product and provide compensation for the harm caused . Daijin Bed has offered a public apology and said on its website that it has made it a top priority to recall its products . Taeyul , a local law firm , has said it will file a suit against Daijin Bed on behalf of local consumers . Some 2 , 700 people have joined the suit so far , it said . In response to growing calls for action , the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said more than 2 , 000 affected mattresses will be recalled beginning Thursday , with hopes of completing that step within a month . The commission said seven Daijin models , totaling some 60 , 000 mattresses , will be subject to recall . An independent collector selected by Daijin will pick up mattresses . The commission added it will wrap up its testing of 16 additional models by Wednesday . entropy @ yna . co . kr ( END )