Incheon City Investigates Soil Pollution at 120 Sites... 5 Locations Exceed Lead, Zinc, Nickel Standards

Incheon City announced on the 1st that it has identified five locations exceeding the standard values in the soil contamination survey conducted in priority pollution management areas.

The City Health and Environment Research Institute investigated soil contamination levels at 120 sites from May to November this year, including industrial complexes and factory areas within the city, children's playground areas, and waste treatment and recycling areas. These sites are designated as priority pollution management areas by the Ministry of Environment and had exceeded 40% (70% for heavy metals and fluorine) of the soil contamination concern standards in last year's inspection results.

The survey results showed that 115 sites were within the permissible limits for all 23 items related to soil contamination, including heavy metals, petroleum products, and soil acidity.

However, in the factory areas of Songhyeon-dong, Dong-gu and Sipjeong-dong, Bupyeong-gu, lead, zinc, and nickel exceeded the standard values. Additionally, lead levels surpassed the standard in the shooting range-related facility area in Gyesan-dong, Gyeyang-gu. Zinc was detected above the standard in the traffic-related facility area in Hakik-dong, Michuhol-gu, and fluorine was found above the standard in the factory wastewater inflow area in Seoun-dong, Gyeyang-gu.

Following the Health and Environment Research Institute's survey results, the district offices are conducting detailed soil investigations to accurately identify the causes and extent of contamination at sites exceeding soil contamination concern standards. Administrative orders such as remediation and restoration will be issued for areas exceeding the standards.

Kwon Moon-ju, Director of the Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, "We will continue to expand soil contamination surveys to accurately understand the current status and protect citizens' environmental rights through remediation and restoration of contaminated soil."