Yoon Gu-young, Bupyeong District Councillor: "Controversy over Asbestos Detection Near Redevelopment Site... Can We Trust the 'Within Standards' Announcement from Two Years Ago?"

Claims have been made that 'asbestos', a class 1 carcinogen, has been detected near redevelopment and reconstruction demolition sites in Incheon’s Bupyeong District, heightening residents' anxiety. In particular, reports of asbestos components being found in nearby schools even 1-2 years after the demolition have raised suspicions about the local government's inadequate management, and calls for effective post-measures are growing.

During the 274th Bupyeong District Council's temporary session on January 28, Councillor Yoon Gu-young (People Power Party·Samsan 2-dong, Bugae 2·3-dong) focused on the issue of asbestos dispersion near Bugae District 4 and Samsan Daebo Apartments while questioning the Environmental Conservation Department.

Councillor Yoon stated, "Recently, reports have emerged of asbestos being detected in two locations near the redevelopment construction site and a school, along with resident meetings. Particularly, it has been over two years since the demolition in Bugae District 4 and over a year for Daebo Apartments, yet a report has surfaced indicating that asbestos was detected in samples collected directly by parents, which deepens our concerns."

He specifically mentioned detection cases in nearby educational facilities such as Bugwang High School, saying, "Parents are experiencing extreme fear that their children may have been exposed to asbestos, yet the district office merely repeats past results of 'within standards'."

In response, the Bupyeong District Environmental Conservation Department maintains that there are no issues as all legal procedures were followed during the demolition. A district official explained, "In accordance with the Asbestos Safety Management Act, protective measures and dispersion concentration measurements were conducted daily during the dismantling work, and the results from the Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute were all within standards."

Furthermore, the district indicated that "given that a long time has passed since the demolition was completed, linking asbestos detected externally to past work sites or conducting further detailed inspections with district funds poses legal and administrative difficulties," implying that additional on-site investigations would be challenging.

Councillor Yoon strongly criticized the district's passive attitude. He remarked, "What use is a report from 1-2 years ago in light of the current reality of asbestos detection?" He emphasized, "As residents are questioning the credibility of the report, there is a need for explanations that meet the residents' perspectives, rather than just a simple listing of figures, along with proactive administration."

He continued, "While Bupyeong District has allocated a budget of 120 million won for asbestos damage relief projects, what is more important is thorough preemptive measures and management rather than post-damage relief," urging that departments should devise additional consultations and measures to ensure safety near schools and residential areas to reassure residents.

The district stated, "If anxious residents visit the Environmental Conservation Department, we will allow them to review the relevant documents from that time," but it seems that further discussions between departments regarding the 'on-site re-verification and meetings' requested by Councillor Yoon will continue in the future.