Busan is good

Busan's Eight Beaches Meet Environmental Standards for Both Water and Sand Quality

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Busan Metropolitan City’s Institute of Health and Environment (hereinafter referred to as the “Institute”) announced that water and sand quality inspections were conducted prior to the opening of eight beaches in the Busan area for the summer vacation season, and all beaches were found to be "suitable."

The water quality inspection focused on the levels of indicator bacteria for waterborne diseases, including enterococci (standard: ≤100 MPN*/100mL) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (standard: ≤500 MPN/100mL).

The sand quality inspection assessed the presence of five hazardous heavy metals: cadmium, arsenic, lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium.

* MPN (Most Probable Number): An estimation method used to determine the most likely number of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria) in a 100 mL sample.

The results showed that both water and sand quality met the environmental standards specified in the “Act on the Use and Management of Beaches.”

In the water quality inspection, Haeundae and Songjeong beaches, which opened early on June 21, recorded:

• ●Enterococci: 0–5 MPN/100mL

• ●E. coli: 0–10 MPN/100mL

These results complied with the water quality standards.

Similarly, Dadaepo (West), Dadaepo (East), Songdo, Gwangalli, Ilgwang, and Imrang beaches, all scheduled to open today (July 1), also recorded:

• ●Enterococci: 0–37 MPN/100mL

• ●E. coli: 0–228 MPN/100mL

Thus, all eight beaches in the Busan area met the water quality criteria.

In the sand quality inspection, the results were as follows:

• ●Cadmium: 0.77–2.27 mg/kg

• ●Arsenic: 5.52–11.12 mg/kg

• ●Lead: 12.6–24.9 mg/kg

These values were below the safety management standards for beach sand. Mercury and hexavalent chromium were not detected at any of the eight beaches.

The inspection results will be provided to the city and the relevant district and county offices. They can also be accessed via the Institute of Health and Environment’s environmental information portal (busan.go.kr/ihe) and the Marine Environmental Information Portal (www.meis.go.kr).

For further details, contact the Busan Institute of Health and Environment at ☎ 051-309-2785.

Lee Yong-joo, Director of the Busan Institute of Health and Environment, stated,
"To ensure the safety of beachgoers during the summer season, we plan to continue regular water quality inspections throughout the beach opening period.
We advise the public to refrain from swimming immediately after rainfall, as rainwater can introduce pollutants that may temporarily degrade beach water quality."