Incheon City Conducts Pesticide Residue Tests Twice Annually at 10 Golf Courses

Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute announced on the 4th that it will conduct pesticide residue tests on soil and water quality twice a year, in the first and second halves, targeting 10 golf courses in the region.

According to the Water Environment Conservation Act, the Health and Environment Research Institute has been investigating pesticide residues annually in soil (greens and fairways) and water quality (pond water and runoff) at golf courses, dividing the periods into dry season (April to June) and rainy season (July to September). In particular, since last year, they have added chlorothalonil, an organochlorine insecticide widely used in golf courses, to inspect a total of 25 pesticide components.

Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute

Last year’s pesticide residue test results at golf courses detected trace amounts of general pesticides (11 types), including azoxystrobin and tebuconazole, which are classified as low toxicity, in 81 soil samples and 46 water samples. Detailed information on the test results can be found on the Ministry of Environment’s "Soil and Groundwater Information System."

Gwak Wansun, director of the City Health and Environment Research Institute, said, "Concerns about pesticide use in areas surrounding golf courses have increased in recent years," adding, "We will conduct thorough inspections so that citizens can enjoy safe and healthy leisure activities."