Environmental organizations in the Gyeongnam region have expressed concern over the recent ammonia leak accident at the Chilseo General Industrial Complex in Haman County and have called for countermeasures.
The NC Haman Namji Opposition Committee, NC Haman Chilseo Residents' Council, Changnyeong Environmental Movement Alliance, Masan Changwon Jinju Environmental Movement Alliance, and Nakdong River Network held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the 19th. They stated, "Relevant authorities must provide an overview of the Chilseo Industrial Complex ammonia leak accident, the reasons for its occurrence, environmental safety measures, and plans to prevent recurrence in order to reassure the public."
They emphasized, "More than 10,000 residents live in areas surrounding Chilseo Industrial Complex, including Chilseo in Haman County and Namji in Changnyeong County. There are also water purification plants supplying tap water to residents of Changwon City and Haman County, as well as to the Nakdong River, which serves as a water source for residents of Busan and Gyeongnam Province."
They continued, "Chilseo Industrial Complex is an aging complex completed in 1992, currently housing about 90 companies. Among them, 46 companies-including paint manufacturers, steel companies, and sulfuric acid manufacturers-emit hazardous substances that cause foul odors." They expressed concern, stating, "Accidents like this can happen at any time."
Environmental organizations in the Gyeongnam region are holding a press conference urging safety measures related to the chemical accident at Chilseo General Industrial Complex in Haman County. Photo by Lee Seryung
They urged, "The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office should conduct thorough safety inspections of companies within Chilseo Industrial Complex that are required to submit chemical accident prevention and management plans, as well as companies that use chemicals. In addition, chemical substance monitoring should be strengthened in residential areas, water purification plants, and the Nakdong River around the complex."
They also demanded, "Gyeongnam Province should establish a public-private consultative body for integrated management of chemical substances and odor control in Chilseo Industrial Complex and designated odor management areas. Strict emission standards should be applied to resolve odor issues, and joint public-private inspections of chemical substances and odors in Chilseo Industrial Complex should be conducted regularly."
Previously, at around 2:24 p.m. on January 13, a small amount of ammonia gas leaked from a pipe during safety valve repair work on a cooler at a factory within the Chilseo General Industrial Complex in Haman County, Gyeongnam Province.
As a result of this accident, a worker in his 40s suffered facial burns and was taken to the hospital.
According to Gyeongnam Province, aside from the injury to the worker, there was no leakage of chemicals into nearby water purification plants or other water systems due to this accident.
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