As a result of a health survey of villagers near POSCO's Gwangyang Works, it was found that large amounts of cadmium and mercury were detected.



The National Academy of Environmental Sciences announced today (30th) that it conducted an environmental assessment, including health impact survey, on 86 residents of Myodo Ondong Village, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do for one year from May of last year.



As a result of the investigation, it was found that heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury were detected in the body of the residents.



The living cadmium concentration of residents was 1.71 mg/g cr (creatinine), four times higher than the national survey conducted from 2018 to 2020.



The mercury concentration was 0.62 mg/g cr, which was twice that of the national survey.



Myodo Ondong Village is 1.5 km away from Gwangyang Works, and it has been argued that many residents have died of cancer.



An official from the National Academy of Environmental Sciences pointed out, "This is the first time a bioexposure survey has been conducted, so it is not easy to draw a conclusion as a one-time survey.



Regarding the large amount of heavy metals emitted from the people's bodies, he said, "It can be suspected that it was affected by the substances emitted by the Gwangyang Works.



The National Academy of Environmental Sciences recently held a briefing session for residents and announced the results of the survey, and plans to issue a final report at the end of July.



(Photo = Yonhap News)