Controversy Over Fluoride at Incinerator Site... Mapo-gu Conducts Direct Investigation

Incinerator Fluoride Controversy… Mapo-gu to Conduct Soil Pollution Investigation Directly

Seoul City Contractor ‘Below Standard’ vs. National Institute of Environmental Research ‘Exceeds Standard’… Mapo-gu Steps Up Amid Residents’ Anxiety Over Fluoride Detection

In August, Soil Pollution Levels to Be Investigated for 22 Items at 7 Sites Including Scheduled Incinerator Location

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu: “We Will Take Corrective Actions Based on Investigation Results… Committed to Alleviating Residents’ Concerns”

Mapo Resource Recovery Facility

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) has decided to conduct a soil pollution investigation in August at seven sites of concern, including the planned location for a new metropolitan resource recovery facility.

According to analysis by the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) of samples collected near the incinerator site in May, fluoride was detected at 563 mg/kg, exceeding the soil pollution concern standard of 400 mg/kg, as reported by the media.

In particular, controversy has grown due to discrepancies between the soil pollution investigation results from the contractor commissioned by Seoul City for the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment and those from NIER.

In response, Mapo-gu has decided to directly commission a specialized soil investigation agency to conduct the pollution assessment in order to verify accurate information and alleviate residents’ anxiety.

The investigation targets seven locations: ▲the planned incinerator site (near Mapo Resource Recovery Facility), ▲around the underground Dangin-ri Thermal Power Plant, ▲around the Culture Storage Base (former oil storage base), ▲around Sangam Hydrogen Power Plant, ▲the summit of Haneul Park, ▲Park Young-seok Mountain Culture Experience Center, and ▲around Nanji Stream Park Soccer Field. A total of 18 sampling points will be selected within these sites.

The investigation will cover 22 items, including fluoride?which is currently at the center of the controversy for exceeding detection limits?as well as heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc, petroleum hydrocarbons, and general parameters.

Notably, residents’ representatives, heads of professional organizations, and district council members will participate in the sample collection. Mapo-gu plans to request officials from the Ministry of Environment and Seoul City to attend the site as well.

If the soil pollution investigation results from the specialized agency reveal any sites exceeding the legal standards, Mapo-gu will demand corrective orders such as detailed soil investigations and remediation measures from the responsible parties under the Soil Environment Conservation Act.

Specifically, if soil pollutants exceeding legal standards are detected at the incinerator site?one of the investigation targets?Mapo-gu intends to immediately request Seoul City to issue corrective orders.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “Mapo-gu will take the lead in conducting soil pollution investigations to provide accurate information to residents and do its utmost to alleviate their concerns. Based on the investigation results, we will promptly demand corrective orders including detailed soil investigations and remediation measures.”

Cultural Storage Base (Former Oil Storage Base)

The contractor responsible for Seoul City’s Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment announced on November 29, 2022, that fluoride was detected at 394 mg/kg, whereas the National Institute of Environmental Research reported 563 mg/kg detected at the same location on May 15, 2023.

Whether the detected amount exceeds the legal standard depends on the “regional pollution standards” defined in the Enforcement Rules of the Soil Environment Conservation Act. Accordingly, on the 13th, Mapo-gu inquired with the Ministry of Environment to confirm the precise regional classification of the measurement points.

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