Gyeonggi Province Strengthens Dioxin Emission Monitoring

The Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 25th that it plans to strengthen testing for dioxin contamination in the atmosphere and soil.

The Institute currently conducts atmospheric dioxin concentration surveys six times a year in six regions including Suwon, Anyang, Ansan, Seongnam, Bucheon, and Siheung. The agency plans to expand this to 10 cities and counties by adding four more basic local governments by next year.

Additionally, the Institute will designate 30 monitoring points across 10 cities and counties in the province for regular annual dioxin soil concentration surveys to continuously observe the progression of contamination.

Dioxin is a type of endocrine disruptor and a representative carcinogen, and is known to cause birth defects and impaired fetal development.

An official from the Institute stated, "Gyeonggi Province currently operates 1,000 incineration facilities with a capacity of 25 kilograms or more per hour, which are identified as major dioxin emission sources. Given the large number of industrial complexes and vehicles in the province, continuous monitoring of dioxin is necessary."