City Health and Environment Research Institute Conducts Preliminary Testing for Alkylphenols, Endocrine Disruptors, in Han River and Tributaries

Investigation of Industrial Wastewater, Sewage Inflow and Discharge, and the Entire Process of the Han River and Tributaries

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 10th that it will begin an investigation into the contamination levels of alkylphenols, a type of endocrine disruptor for which there are no water quality standards.

This investigation plans to cover the entire process from industrial wastewater to inflow and discharge water at sewage treatment plants, as well as contamination status in the Han River and its tributaries. Alkylphenols are one of the endocrine-disrupting substances designated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which interfere with the normal functioning of hormones involved in the growth and reproduction of humans and organisms, potentially causing a decrease in sperm count and changes in sex ratios.

Alkylphenols are produced in the environment by the breakdown of alkylphenol ethoxylates, which are used in various industries such as industrial detergents. Alkylphenols are more toxic and harder to decompose than their precursor alkylphenol ethoxylates, and thus can have long-term adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Despite government efforts, the Seoul Metropolitan Government judged that alkylphenol ethoxylates, the precursor substances, are still used in various industries, causing disruption to river ecosystems through industrial wastewater and indirectly threatening public health. Therefore, it is promoting a proactive investigation to strengthen management.

Accordingly, the Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Health and Environment will conduct contamination surveys targeting industrial wastewater within Seoul, inflow and discharge water at four sewage treatment plants, the Han River, and its tributaries to understand the contamination status of the hazardous chemical alkylphenols. There are about 3,000 industrial wastewater discharge facilities operating in Seoul, with 51% in car washing, 12% in printing and publishing, and 11% in metal processing. The institute plans to select survey targets evenly by industry type but will focus on wastewater likely to contain industrial detergents.

Shin Yong-seung, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Health and Environment, said, “We expect that the management of pollution in the Han River and its tributaries, which are popular among Seoul citizens, will be further strengthened based on the results of this alkylphenol survey.” He added, “The institute will continue to proactively enhance inspections of trace hazardous chemicals in the water environment that are not yet regulated, supporting the creation of a healthy tributary ecosystem.”

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