The professor, identified only by his last name Yoo, was ordered to forfeit 24 million won ($21,200) he illegally obtained from the household goods maker.

The humidifier disinfectant case, one of the worst scandals ever involving a consumer product using chemicals, came to light after four pregnant women died of lung problems from unknown causes in 2011.

A government-led investigation later confirmed a connection between scores of people who died of lung problems and the chemicals used to clean household humidifiers.

Yoo was also convicted of fraud for illegally pocketing research fees worth some 68 million won from the university by fabricating the payroll. (Yonhap)