Nakdonggangcheong, 56 Sites Violating Air Pollutant Emission Regulations Detected

Inspection of Dust Emission Companies Until June

The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office conducted inspections of industrial complexes in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) areas for about four months from December 2022 to March 2023, the 4th seasonal management period, and detected violations of environmental laws at 56 sites.

In March, when high concentrations of fine particulate matter peak in spring, joint intensive crackdowns were carried out with the relevant local governments.

Major violations included installation and operation of unauthorized air pollutant emission facilities (hereinafter emission facilities), neglect of corrosion and wear of air pollutant prevention facilities (hereinafter prevention facilities), and failure to implement dust suppression measures.

A company located in Busan was caught operating without a permit while emitting benzene during wastewater treatment at 1.36 ppm, about 13 times the permitted emission facility installation standard of 0.1 ppm.

A company in Ulsan installed and operated chemical product manufacturing facilities without authorization, emitting formaldehyde at 0.335 ppm, about four times the permitted standard of 0.08 ppm. Another company was caught operating without taking action despite corrosion and wear of prevention facility piping causing air pollutants to leak into the atmosphere.

A company in Gyeongnam failed to report changes despite emitting copper, a new air pollutant, during non-ferrous metal manufacturing beyond the declared pollutants. Another company was caught for not implementing dust reduction measures such as installing dust covers during aggregate extraction.

Among these companies, four that installed and operated unauthorized emission facilities will be referred to the competent prosecution office after investigation.

The Nakdong River Office will continue special inspections of companies emitting large amounts of dust, such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt manufacturing facilities, as part of the “Total Fine Dust Response” until June.

Using advanced equipment such as aerial drones, focused crackdowns on unauthorized emission facility installation and operation and improper management will be conducted.

Hong Dong-gon, the head of the office, stated, “We will strengthen monitoring and supervision to reduce pollutants and emissions at workplaces so that citizens can live safely from fine dust and in a more pleasant environment.”

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