S Korea's MoE says toxic chems pose serious public threat

18 July 2002 03:22  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (CNI)—South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MoE) has published a report claiming that domestic chemical companies discharged 30 000 tonne of 64 toxic chemicals into the air, rivers, and soil in 2000.

The report added that reducing the amount of toxic chemicals discharged was an urgent priority because it posed a serious health threat to the public.

Based on a survey of 529 companies across the nation, the MoE said that about 30% of the total volume of discharge included carcinogens or hormone-disrupting chemicals. It added that 27% of the emissions were made up of cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and vinyl. About 79% of the toxic chemicals were released into the air.

The manufacturing companies also released 636 tonne of hormone disruptors or synthetic chemicals, and natural plant compounds that might affect the endocrine system comprising the glands, hormones and cellular receptors that control the body's internal functions, the MoE report said.

By: Iqbal Anand
+65 6780 4359

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