Is There a Dioxin Issue Around the Sangam-dong Incineration Plant?

Urgent Investigation in Mapo-gu Amid Dioxin Concerns Near Incinerator... Efforts to Alleviate Residents' Anxiety
Emergency Second Soil Contamination Survey at Planned Additional Resource Recovery Facility Site on November 8
Including Dioxin in Survey Not Found in First Investigation to Protect Residents' Health and Environmental Rights

Mapo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Gang-su) conducted an 'Emergency 2nd Soil Contamination Survey' on November 8 at the planned site for an additional resource recovery facility in Mapo-gu.

This survey was urgently decided due to growing concerns among residents about health and environmental pollution caused by contaminated land and Seoul City's insistence on constructing an additional resource recovery facility.

The district recognizes the right to health as a fundamental right that all citizens should enjoy and plans to take measures to protect residents' health and minimize environmental pollution based on the results of the emergency 2nd soil contamination survey.

In this survey, soil samples will be collected around the planned site for the additional resource recovery facility to analyze two items: dioxins and fluorine. The 2nd survey was attended by related departments, local residents, district council members, and media representatives.

At the international forum co-hosted by Mapo-gu and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) on November 5, the serious risks to health posed by harmful substances such as dioxins generated from incinerators were raised, reinforcing the necessity of this 2nd soil contamination survey.

Professor Paul Connett, who delivered the keynote speech at the forum, warned, “Toxic substances such as dioxins and incomplete combustion products are generated during the incineration process,” and added, “Long-term measurements reveal much higher levels of dioxins than currently detected,” citing cases where eggs produced near incinerators contained dioxin levels exceeding safety standards.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “We will not compromise on protecting residents' rights to health and environment, and the district office will take the lead in safeguarding them,” adding, “If Seoul City insists on building an additional incinerator, it will face strong opposition from Mapo-gu residents and cause the city's wrongful administration to attract international attention.”