Yoon Gu-young, Bupyeong District Council Member: "Controversy Over Asbestos Detection Near Redevelopment Site... Can We Trust the 'Within Standard Limits' Announcement from Two Years Ago?"

Claims have been raised that 'asbestos', a class 1 carcinogen, has been detected near redevelopment and reconstruction demolition sites in Bupyeong District, Incheon, heightening residents' anxiety. In particular, reports of asbestos components being found in nearby schools and other locations, even 1-2 years after the demolition was completed, have led to increased calls for accountability regarding the local government's inadequate management and the need for effective post-measures.

During the urban environment committee's report at the 274th Bupyeong District Council temporary session held on January 28, Council Member 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, questioning the environmental preservation department.

Yoon stated, "Recently, reports have emerged that asbestos has been detected in two locations near the redevelopment construction site and a school, and resident meetings have followed. 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 found in samples collected directly by parents, deepening concerns."

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

In response, the Bupyeong District Environmental Preservation 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 Health and Environment Research Institute were all within standard limits."

Additionally, the district indicated that "given the long time since the demolition was completed, it is legally and administratively difficult to associate asbestos detected externally with past construction sites or to conduct further detailed inspections using district funds," implying that additional on-site investigations would be challenging.

Yoon strongly criticized the district office's passive attitude, stating, "What use is a report from 1-2 years ago in light of the current reality of asbestos detection?" He emphasized, "As residents are doubting the credibility of the report, there is a need for explanations that meet the residents' perspectives, rather than just listing 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 prevention and management rather than post-damage relief," urging, "Departments should devise additional consultations and measures that can reassure residents to ensure safety near schools and residential areas."

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