One out of four exceeds durability period, equipment over 24 years old still in use
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Concerns have been raised over the severe aging of research and testing equipment at the Jeonnam Health and Environment Research Institute, which is responsible for specialized inspections in the health and environmental sectors of Jeonnam.
Choi Seon-guk, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Mokpo 1), pointed out during the administrative audit of the Jeonnam Health and Environment Research Institute that “Out of the 464 research and testing devices at the institute, 113 devices have exceeded their 10-year durability period, accounting for 24.3% of all equipment.”
Assemblyman Choi emphasized, “In the Water Quality Analysis Division, which is responsible for drinking water quality inspections, 66% of the equipment has exceeded its durability period. The Environmental Investigation Division, which handles environmental pollution accident investigations, air pollution, and water pollution, has 41% of its equipment beyond the durability period. The Microbiology Division, whose main task is the diagnosis of legally mandated infectious diseases, has 20 out of 65 devices classified as aged equipment.”
He also found that some equipment at the Health and Environment Research Institute has been in operation since 1998, meaning it has been in use for 24 years.
He continued, “The seriousness of the equipment aging at the Health and Environment Research Institute is clearly reflected in the budget acquisition status. Last year, only 59% of the equipment planned for purchase in the work report was actually acquired, and this year, only 42% of the planned budget has been secured.”
He added, “The severe aging of equipment in departments responsible for environmental pollution, water quality, and infectious diseases?areas of high public interest?inevitably undermines the credibility of the Health and Environment Research Institute as a specialized analysis institution. We must not forget that the institute’s fundamental mission is to produce accurate results with reliable equipment.”
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