Civic groups and environmentalists are calling for the Seoul city government to halt the operation of subway line 7 which is reportedly contaminated with high levels of radioactive material.
They say radon levels at Kongnung Station were found to be eight times more than the permissible level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
``We're planning to hold a protest rally Monday, bringing together civic groups and environment activists,'' said Sok Kwang- hun, coordinator at Green Korea United, adding that the venue has yet to be settled.
A research team led by Prof. Kim Dong-sul of Kyung Hee University recently made public its report on radon levels at line 7's nine stations, which were inundated by flash floods in early May.
It indicated the levels were measured at 31.87 pCi (pico curie) at Kongnung Station, 29.36 pCi at Taenung Station, 15.33 pCi at Sangbong Station and 14.61 pCi at Moggol Station. The figures were far higher than the 4 pCi permissible level recommended by the EPA.
Officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp. that oversees the line's operation said flood waters caused radon from granite stratums to be released into the air.
In addition, they pointed out that the ill-fated stations were not well ventilated as the replacement of flooded ceiling materials and subway ventilation ducts was under way during the period Prof. Kim conducted the survey.
``We'll do our best to complete restoration of ventilation facilities at the subway stations by Aug. 15, 45 days earlier than initially scheduled,'' said Yoon Doo-young, president of the corporation.
He said a four-month close study on radon levels of the flooded stations will start Wednesday to come up with effective measures against radon.
Comments on this posting?
Click here to post a public comment on the Trash Talk Bulletin Board.
Click here to send a private comment to the Junkman.
Copyright © 1998 Steven J. Milloy. All rights reserved on original material. Material copyrighted by others is used either with permission or under a claim of "fair use." Site developed and hosted by WestLake Solutions, Inc.
Material presented on this home page constitutes opinion of Steven J. Milloy.