Pesticides, or more specifically the chemicals they are composed of, are quickly becoming the bogeymen of Korean society as internal records held by district governments throughout Seoul have revealed that pesticides containing hazardous chemicals were sprayed in neighborhood areas. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Pesticides, or more specifically the chemicals they are composed of, are quickly becoming the bogeymen of Korean society as internal records held by district governments throughout Seoul have revealed that pesticides containing hazardous chemicals were sprayed in neighborhood areas.
The scoop comes from the Center for Freedom of Information and Transparent Society, which obtained the records from 25 districts in Seoul. Among the 25, Gangdong, Seongdong and Seongbuk’s records showed that pesticides composed of possible carcinogens had been used in their respective regions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States has listed the pesticide used in these districts as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” after exposure to the chemical left lab rats with thyroid cancer.
In Seocho, Yeongdeung, Dongjak and Gangdong, pesticides that as of yet have not been classified as carcinogenic or not were found to have been used. In these regions, like the others, pesticides were sprayed in areas with heavy foot traffic.
The application of pesticides containing acephate is noteworthy, considering the fact that the European Union has banned the use of “Admire Insecticide” for its role as a “honey bee killer”. Acephate is a component of the insecticide.
A spokesperson for the Center for Freedom of Information and Transparent Society pointed out the irony of the city’s recent efforts to increase the population of honey bees when a select number of its districts were actively destroying them by using the so-called honey bee killers. (Image: Yonhap)
A spokesperson for the Center for Freedom of Information and Transparent Society pointed out the irony of the city’s recent efforts to increase the population of honey bees when a select number of its districts were actively destroying them by using the so-called honey bee killers.
Professor Kim Jeong Han of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Seoul National University weighed in on the issue, declaring that “residents need to be notified before the spraying of pesticides occurs.” He emphasized that pesticides must be used in a safe manner and the districts must adhere to established daily limits of exposure to pesticide.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
