Usage of Hazardous Chemical Substances 66.4 Million Tons, 27% Decrease Compared to Previous Period

In 2022, the domestic usage of hazardous chemical substances in South Korea was recorded at 66.4 million tons, a 27% decrease compared to the previous survey.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Environment announced the results of the "5th Chemical Substance Statistical Survey," which included this information. According to the report, the production volume of hazardous chemical substances also decreased by 10.5% from the 4th survey conducted in 2020, totaling 70 million tons. However, imports increased by 6.4% to 13.4 million tons.

This survey began in 1998 to understand the handling status of chemical substances. Initially, it was conducted every four years, but after the revision of the "Chemical Substances Control Act" in 2014, it changed to a biennial schedule.

In 2022, the number of companies handling chemical substances totaled 38,829, an increase of 1,722 companies (4.6%). The types of chemical substances handled increased by 1,310 (4.1%) to 32,910. Both the number of companies handling chemicals and the variety of chemicals have shown an increasing trend since the statistics began.

The total usage volume was 1.16087 billion tons, shrinking by 460.14 million tons (28.4%). Total production volume was 577.09 million tons, increasing slightly by 3.48 million tons (0.6%). Imports were 372.42 million tons, and exports were 129.24 million tons, increasing by 21.78 million tons (6.2%) and 4.14 million tons (3.3%), respectively.

By industry, chemical substances and chemical products manufacturing accounted for the largest share at 13.7%, followed closely by metal processed products manufacturing at 13.6%. Wholesale and commodity brokerage accounted for 10.0%.

The top production volumes were Portland cement (61.8 million tons), diesel (57.2 million tons), and iron (29.8 million tons), while the highest usage volumes were natural gas (229.8 million tons) and petroleum (132.7 million tons).

Hwang Gye-young, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "We plan to use the results of this chemical substance statistical survey as basic data for preventing and responding to chemical accidents." He added, "We will strengthen the distribution and safety management of chemical substances to create a society safe from chemical hazards."