Excess Fluoride Detected at 6 Sites and Arsenic at 1 Site Around World Cup Park

Mapo-gu - Seoul City Joint Reinvestigation of Soil Pollution in World Cup Park Area Finds Fluoride Exceeding Limits at 6 Sites, Arsenic at 1 Site... Mapo-gu Repeatedly Urges Seoul City for Thorough Soil Precision Investigation in Exceeding Areas

Soil contamination survey site around World Cup Park last August

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) announced on October 30 that a re-investigation of soil contamination levels around World Cup Park, conducted jointly with Seoul City, revealed that in addition to previously detected fluoride, arsenic was also found to exceed the standard levels.

This investigation was carried out following Mapo-gu's order on October 19 for a detailed soil survey to Seoul City and Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd., based on the excessive fluoride detection in the newly planned resource recovery facility site, Dangin-ri Power Plant, and the World Cup Park area in August. Seoul Western Park Leisure Center (hereafter Seoul City) requested the re-investigation, which was then conducted.

Accordingly, on the 30th of last month, soil samples were collected from seven locations under the supervision of Mapo-gu officials: the entrance of Noeul Park, the site behind Noeul Fuel Cell Power Plant, two points at the summit of Haneul Park, two points near the Nanji Stream Park soccer field, and the Culture Depot.

After Mapo-gu and Seoul City each commissioned soil analysis to separate laboratories, Seoul City's analysis results showed that fluoride exceeded the standard in six of the seven locations, excluding the Culture Depot, consistent with the initial survey.

According to Seoul City's analysis by the Korea Health Technology Research Institute, compared to the soil contamination concern standard of 400 mg/kg, fluoride levels were detected as follows: Noeul Park entrance 418 mg/kg, site behind Noeul Fuel Cell Power Plant 494 mg/kg, two points at Haneul Park summit 419 mg/kg and 537 mg/kg, and two points near Nanji Stream Park soccer field 425 mg/kg and 509 mg/kg.

Mapo-gu's analysis through the Earth Environment Research Institute detected fluoride levels of 369 mg/kg at Noeul Park entrance, 393 mg/kg at the site behind Noeul Fuel Cell Power Plant, 365 mg/kg and 523 mg/kg at the two points at Haneul Park summit, and 402 mg/kg and 406 mg/kg near the Nanji Stream Park soccer field.

Notably, at one of the points near the Nanji Stream Park soccer field, arsenic was also detected exceeding the standard (standard 25 mg/kg; measured values: Seoul City 46.69 mg/kg, Mapo-gu 40.71 mg/kg) alongside fluoride, causing significant concern.

Mapo-gu has requested a re-investigation for detailed soil surveys in the six areas exceeding the soil contamination concern standards and repeatedly urged Seoul City to actively cooperate in conducting the detailed investigation.

Accordingly, Seoul City and Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. must conduct the detailed soil survey by April 19 of next year under the Soil Environment Conservation Act. Failure to comply may result in fines under Article 32, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 2 of the Soil Environment Conservation Act.

Mapo-gu plans to demand thorough soil remediation measures in accordance with Article 11, Paragraph 3 of the Soil Environment Conservation Act if the detailed soil survey results from Seoul City and Korea Midland Power exceed the legal soil contamination standards.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “Since World Cup Park, once a landfill site, is now a park enjoyed by many citizens, soil contamination is a matter directly related to the safety and health of all citizens. We hope Seoul City and Korea Midland Power will promptly alleviate the suffering and anxiety of Mapo-gu residents through active and sincere implementation of the detailed soil survey.”