In this photo taken Aug. 11, 2022, the formation of hazardous green algae blooms is observed in Nakdong River in the southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The southeastern port city of Busan has asked the environment ministry to conduct a health impact survey on the use of water from the lower reaches of the Nakdong River, a region that is prone to pollution, with concerns mounting over the potential contamination of drinking water for those living in the city.
The Busan city government said Wednesday it presented the idea of comparing the impact of the Nakdong River on the health of citizens with that of other four main rivers.
After selecting two or three streams of the Nakdong River, including those in and around Busan, they can be compared with one or two other control groups from the nation’s other major rivers — Geum, Yeongsan and Han.
According to the Statistics Korea, the number of cancer deaths stood at 92.3 persons per 100,000 citizens in Busan, the highest across the country.
The city’s life expectancy for those born in 2017 stood at 81.9, the lowest among major cities in South Korea.
When it comes to those born in 2020, the city’s life expectancy stood at 82.7, the lowest behind North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang provinces.
At present, Busan relies on the Nakdong River for more than 90 percent of its drinking water.
The river experienced a massive green algae bloom this summer, the largest in 10 years, with the algae alarm being sustained for about two months.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
