All 15 Complexes Including Youth Safe Housing Exceed Standards
154 Out of 259 Households in New Apartments Fail to Meet Criteria
Still Fail to Pass Even After Re-inspection
More than 80% of new apartments in Seoul have been found to fail to meet indoor air quality standards. The situation is particularly severe in rental housing for young people and newlyweds, leading to growing criticism of the management of public housing.
More than 80% of new apartments in Seoul have been found to fail to meet indoor air quality standards (Photo for illustrative purposes only and unrelated to the article content).
According to data on "Indoor Air Quality Inspection Results for Newly Built Apartment Complexes" recently submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to Assemblyman Lee Bongjun of the People Power Party, who is a member of the Environment and Water Resources Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, 38 out of 44 complexes (86.4%) that underwent inspections as of September exceeded the recommended standards. Out of a total of 259 households, pollutants were detected in 154 households (59.5%), and among these, 114 households still exceeded the standards even after re-inspection. This figure is nearly double last year's exceedance rate of 31.5%.
In particular, high levels of toluene (detected at 128 locations) and radon (detected at 40 locations) were found. Toluene, a hazardous substance emitted from paint, adhesives, and wallpaper, can cause headaches and nausea. In some units, toluene levels reached 5,004 micrograms per cubic meter, more than five times the standard limit of 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter.
The problem is even more serious in rental housing. All 15 complexes (100%) designated as youth station area housing and youth safe housing exceeded the standards, and harmful substances were detected in 61 out of 72 households (84.7%).
Assemblyman Lee stated, "Rental housing is public housing intended for socially vulnerable groups such as young people, newlyweds, and low-income families, yet its management is actually poorer than that of general sale housing. The current system, which only makes simple recommendations to construction companies even when standards are exceeded, has clear limitations. There is a need for legally binding measures."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Climate and Environment Headquarters said, "We will conduct more thorough inspections, especially for rental housing," and added, "We will strengthen guidance so that residents can recognize and respond to the risks of exposure to harmful substances."
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