[2020 National Audit] "COVID-19 Waste Transported 300km for Disposal... Principle of Same-Day Incineration Violated"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Although the government has announced a policy for the rapid disposal of quarantine medical waste due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been revealed that long-distance transportation issues are occurring, such as transporting the waste to incineration companies located more than 300 km away for disposal.

Furthermore, despite the principle of 'same-day incineration,' over 1,000 cases last month took more than a day to complete the final incineration of COVID-19 quarantine medical waste.

According to the 'Status of COVID-19 Quarantine Medical Waste Emission and Incineration' submitted by the Ministry of Environment to Yoon Joon-byung, a member of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 23rd, COVID-19 quarantine medical waste is currently being processed by only 13 companies nationwide. From January, when COVID-19 first occurred, to September 11, the total amount of emitted and incinerated quarantine medical waste was recorded at 2,992 tons.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the government has strengthened management regulations to ensure the safe collection and rapid disposal of quarantine medical waste by mandating 'same-day entrusted processing, same-day transportation, and same-day incineration' of waste.

However, in 10 regions including Seoul, Gangwon, Jeonbuk, and Jeju, where there are no quarantine medical waste incineration companies, the waste is transported to other regions for disposal. Although it should be processed at the nearest incineration company for rapid disposal, it has been found that the waste is incinerated after being transported to relatively distant areas.

Medical waste generated in Gangwon Province is processed at an incineration company located in Gyeongju City, Gyeongbuk, which is 364 km away, and medical waste generated in Seoul is also transported over 310 km to the Gyeongbuk area for incineration. The amount of quarantine medical waste transported more than 300 km for incineration reached 23 tons.

Along with the issue of long-distance transportation and incineration of COVID-19 quarantine medical waste, it has also been revealed that the government's stated 'same-day incineration' is not being properly implemented.

The government requires same-day incineration of COVID-19 quarantine medical waste, but the total number of cases taking more than a day for final incineration reached 1,092. Among these, 361 cases (33.1%) took two days for incineration, and 30 cases (2.7%) took three days or more.

Additionally, it has been found that the government's definition of same-day incineration is unclear?whether it means 'by 12:00 PM on the day of emission' or 'within 24 hours after emission'?indicating the need for more thorough management.

Assemblyman Yoon Joon-byung stated, "Rapid disposal of COVID-19 quarantine medical waste is the most important matter to dispel concerns about infection and transmission, but on-site, problems such as long-distance transportation and processing delays are occurring. The government emphasizes rapid disposal without clear standards for the principle of same-day incineration, so it must clarify the standards and principles and prepare countermeasures."