Bucheon City: "Ojeong Industrial Complex Hazardous Substance Levels Below Legal Limits"

Health Risk Assessment for Residential Areas Deemed "Suitable"
Consultation with Han River Basin Environmental Office and Enhanced Environmental Monitoring

Regarding concerns about environmental pollution at the Ojeong General Industrial Complex in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, Bucheon City announced on March 19 that the detected levels of hazardous substances were significantly lower than the legal limits, and that the health risk to nearby residential areas was also found to be within safety standards.

In July of last year, prior to revising the basic management plan for the Ojeong Industrial Complex, the city measured air quality, odor, and specific hazardous air pollutants to establish environmental impact mitigation measures. As a result, all measurements met the standards set by the 'Air Quality Conservation Act' and the 'Indoor Air Quality Management Act.'

The city explained that the detected substances were at levels commonly found in everyday life, such as from smoking, cooking, vehicle emissions, and 'new house syndrome,' and that all detected levels were below both legal and environmental standards.

The detected formaldehyde level was 10.650 ppb, which is about 16% of the indoor air quality standard for daycare centers (65 ppb) specified by the Indoor Air Quality Management Act. Benzene measured 0.2 ppb, which is approximately 12.7% of the environmental standard (5μg/m³, about 1.57 ppb) set by the Framework Act on Environmental Policy. Arsenic was detected at 0.011 ng/m³, which is about 0.18% of the European Union standard (6 ng/m³).

Front view of Bucheon City Hall. Provided by Bucheon City

To assess the impact on public health, the city also conducted a 'health risk assessment' by dividing the industrial complex and surrounding areas. As a result, at Ojeong Humancia Complex 1, the residential area closest to the industrial complex, the risk levels of formaldehyde, arsenic, and benzene all met the standards and received a 'suitable' rating.

In the assessment conducted within the industrial complex, benzene levels were below the standard, while formaldehyde and arsenic were found to require management (unsuitable). The city believes that, since there are no industries within the complex that directly emit benzene and arsenic, it is highly likely that these substances originated from nearby industrial areas, and is currently investigating the cause. In addition, the city is prioritizing residents' health and is reviewing additional mitigation measures.

The city is also continuing consultations with the Han River Basin Environmental Office to discuss environmental protection measures. The city plans to block new pollutant-emitting businesses from entering the complex and to require existing businesses to install optimal prevention facilities, thereby gradually reducing the total amount of pollutant emissions.

A Bucheon City official stated, "We will conduct regular environmental monitoring focused on residential areas and, if necessary, consider additional measures such as health impact surveys to actively address residents' concerns," adding, "All future environmental impact assessments and measurement results will be transparently disclosed to the public."

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