Incheon Namdong Industrial Complex Chemical Accident 24-Hour Remote Monitoring Initiative

Incheon Namdong National Industrial Complex

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A system to detect hazardous chemical leaks 24 hours a day will be established in the Namdong National Industrial Complex in Incheon.

Incheon City announced on the 22nd that it has signed a business agreement with the Ministry of Environment to promote the 'Namdong National Industrial Complex Chemical Substance Remote Monitoring Project.'

This project involves investing 6.1 billion KRW of national funds to build a continuous monitoring system for the prevention of chemical leaks and rapid response in case of accidents. The Ministry of Environment selected the Namdong National Industrial Complex in Incheon as the project site in September last year.

The monitoring system will be installed at the Incheon Comprehensive Business Center within the Namdong Industrial Complex, where high-resolution thermal imaging cameras and infrared analysis equipment capable of detecting hazardous chemical leaks from a distance will operate in real time 24 hours a day.

The system is scheduled to begin construction in September and be completed by the end of December, with trial operations followed by full-scale operation starting in 2024.

Incheon City will provide the project site and work to strengthen chemical accident safety management and cooperation systems, while the Ministry of Environment will handle system installation and operation and share chemical accident response information.

Currently, about 650 companies handling hazardous chemicals are located in the Namdong Industrial Complex, raising concerns about large-scale damage in the event of chemical leaks or accidents.

In 2020, an explosion accident occurred at a cosmetics manufacturer in the Namdong Industrial Complex during the handling of sodium chlorite, a chemical substance, resulting in the deaths of three workers and injuries to nine others.

Sodium chlorite is classified as a first-class hazardous material due to fire and explosion risks, but the company was found to have stored this chemical in quantities exceeding the designated limit, leading to the accident.

Mayor Park Namchun stated, "Since chemical accidents always have the potential to escalate into major disasters, early response to accidents is most important," adding, "Through this agreement project, we will proactively recognize and swiftly respond to chemical accident risks that may occur in the Namdong Industrial Complex to ensure the safety of citizens and workers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.