Busan is good

Busan Conducts First-Ever Comprehensive Inspection of Hazardous Substances, Including Heavy Metals, in Barefoot Walking Trails

내용

□ The Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health & Environment (hereinafter referred to as the “Institute”) announced that it will conduct Busan’s first comprehensive soil safety inspection of all barefoot walking trails established throughout the city in order to protect citizens’ health.

○ Barefoot walking trails, which have recently been actively developed as citizen-friendly spaces, have become representative venues for leisure and health activities. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential accumulation of airborne pollutants, heavy metals, and various chemical substances in the soil, highlighting the need for prior inspections.

○ Accordingly, the Institute plans to carry out Busan’s first full-scale inspection to proactively identify potential environmental contamination and establish improvement measures so that citizens can use barefoot walking trails with confidence.

□ This inspection will cover all 61 barefoot walking trails across Busan, focusing on the presence of hazardous substances in the soil.

○ Key inspection items include eight types of heavy metals, such as lead (Pb) and copper (Cu), as well as pH levels. The Institute will identify the primary causes of soil contamination and, if necessary, pursue follow-up measures such as detailed investigations and remediation.

○ Soil sampling will be conducted sequentially beginning in April, and the results will be transparently disclosed to the public. Areas found to exceed standards or present issues will be subject to prompt corrective action.

□ Through this comprehensive inspection, the Institute aims to systematically manage the environmental safety of barefoot walking trails and strengthen the foundation for protecting public health.

□ Lee Yong-ju, Director of the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health & Environment, stated, “Through this first-ever soil safety inspection in Busan, we will ensure thorough management so that citizens can enjoy barefoot walking in a safer environment,” adding, “We will continue to do our utmost to enhance citizens’ quality of life through scientific and systematic environmental management.”