East Coast Beaches of Gyeongbuk, Stay Healthy and Safe This Summer! ... Sand Soil Pollution Inspection Completed

Investigation Results: All Meet Environmental Standards

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Institute of Health and Environment conducted a soil contamination survey at 23 designated beaches in 4 cities and counties along the East Coast.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwi-yeol] Gyeongbuk Province conducted soil contamination tests on the sand of beaches in the province ahead of the peak summer vacation season.

The inspection of beach sand was carried out on 23 designated beaches in four cities and counties along the local East Coast in accordance with the "Guidelines for Environmental Management of Beaches" to protect the health of visitors.

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Institute of Health and Environment collected sand samples from the beaches before their opening and tested for harmful heavy metals to humans, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium.

As a result of the tests, the sand at all 23 designated beaches met the environmental standards.

Cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and mercury were not detected. Lead (standard 200 mg/kg) was detected at an average of 10.5 mg/kg, and arsenic (standard 25 mg/kg) was detected at an average of 7.62 mg/kg in trace amounts.

This confirms scientifically that the beach sand along the local East Coast beaches is safe, with concentrations comparable to those naturally found in general soil.

Gyeongbuk’s beaches will open sequentially starting with six beaches including Pohang Yeongildae Beach on the 9th of this month, followed by 17 beaches in Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, and Uljin areas from the 15th.

Baek Ha-ju, director of the Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, said, “We are promptly providing the test results of beach sand to the respective cities and counties to protect the health of beach visitors and provide a pleasant recreational space. We will continue to do our best to manage clean beaches through ongoing environmental monitoring.”