WHY IS YEONGPUNG SEOKPO SMELTER ATTRACTING ATTENTION?

Why is Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter attracting attention?

Why is Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter attracting attention?

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The Ministry of Environment (Minister Cho Myeong-rae) recently investigated the cause of heavy metal contamination and leakage of groundwater in Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter site and found that heavy metals such as cadmium were leaked to the outside of the plant and is taking measures to block and purify them.



The Ministry of Environment conducted a thorough investigation into the causes of contamination and leakage of heavy metals in groundwater plants 1 and 2 for a year from August of that year, as cadmium concentration was detected high in rivers outside the smelter plant 1.



According to the tracker test using fluorescent substances* survey, both fluorescent substances (traders) injected into the plant's internal injection process were observed in the plant's external groundwater observation, and the connection and pollutants leaked.

* Inject fluorescent materials (tracer) into groundwater tubes and track groundwater flow through observation by zone



Leakage of process water and some contaminated soil are found to be the main causes of pollution, and high concentrations of cadmium are detected* in groundwater in smelter's internal facilities and the surrounding sites are highly permeable, making it easy to move contaminated groundwater.

* Groundwater water quality standards (living water) up to 250,000 times higher than 0.01L/L



Based on actual measurement data such as cadmium concentration and ground level, the total amount of cadmium discharged by section was calculated, and it was found that about 22kg of cadmium could be leaked to groundwater outside the factory.

다만 However, the result of calculating the outflow rate is an estimate calculated under certain experimental conditions, and factors used in the calculation result may vary depending on the change in field conditions.



The Ministry of Environment will check and take measures against violations of related laws such as the Water Environment Conservation Act as cadmium leaks are confirmed to be leaked to the outside.

( (Article 15 to Article 77 of the Water Environment Conservation Act) A person who leaks, leaks, or throws away certain water harmful substances (such as cadmium) in public waters is imprisoned for up to three years or fined up to 30 million won.



Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter has previously been checking cadmium contamination of groundwater inside the plant and has implemented necessary measures such as installing water barriers and pollution prevention facilities and establishing plans under the Ministry of Environment's order.

지하 Completed closing of cadmium manufacturing process to prevent additional contamination of groundwater (19.6)



As a result of the investigation, the Ministry of Environment requested the Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter to take additional supplementary measures to prevent leakage of groundwater to the outside.

* Request for supplementation of multi-purpose water supply walls, additional installation of multi-dimensional pollution prevention pipes, and submission of early installation plans for pollution correction facilities ('20.8.24), etc.



In addition, the government plans to form an inspection team on implementation of the order to prevent contamination of groundwater to check the implementation this site on a monthly basis and receive expert advice to prevent contamination and outflow.



In the case of soil, cadmium contamination (up to 2,691μg/kg) exceeding the soil pollution countermeasure standard (180μg/kg) was also confirmed throughout the sites of Plant 1 and 2.



If the order to conduct a soil precision survey on the entire site of the plant is implemented by December this year, the local governments in charge will issue a soil purification order according to the results of the survey.



The Ministry of Environment plans to actively support local governments in this process to properly perform soil purification-related tasks.



Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment separately measured rivers around the Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter in June this year and found that all 46 measuring points met water quality standards for six heavy metals such as cadmium.

석 Investigate heavy metals (cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, hexachromium, zinc) at 50 points in 2.4km downstream of Plant 2 from upstream of Seokpo Smelter Plant 1.

* All 46 streams meet the water quality standard (Cd 0.005 mg/L), exceed the cadmium river water quality standard (0.090 mg/L, 0.015 mg/L) at two out of four factory-oriented stagnant and unknown water sites.






In order to ensure the safety of drinking water thoroughly, the Ministry of Environment plans to strengthen measures related to contamination such as monthly inspection of the implementation of the site and quarterly water quality monitoring.

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