South Korean soldiers begin environmental cleanup work at former U.S. bases

[unhappycamper]

South Korean soldiers begin environmental cleanup work at former U.S. bases
By Erik Slavin and Hwang Hae-rym, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, October 15, 2007


SEOUL — Hundreds of South Korean soldiers have begun environmental cleanup at seven former U.S. bases in South Korea, Defense Ministry officials said.

Cleaning began on former U.S. camps Kyle, Garry Owen, Edwards, Essayons, Sears, Grey and Page on Sept. 7, a ministry spokesman said. The news wasn’t announced until late last week.

They also examined another 16 sites and bases turned over by the U.S. since 2006 before turning their attention to South Korean military bases.

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“Currently, the environmental units are taking measures to curb the spread of pollution in the 23 returned bases and checking related facilities including the sewage systems,” the ministry said in a statement.

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However, Camp Page in Chuncheon showed elevated levels of petroleum byproducts and other chemicals in its drinking water, according to a report earlier this year from the South Korean National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee.

Benzene and other chemicals also were found in underground water at levels exceeding South Korean health standards, a committee aid who spoke on condition of anonymity said Friday.


Rest of article at: http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49499



uhc comment: Environmental pollution is common on US military bases. Otis AFB has been polluting the Cape Cod aquifer for years.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=otis+AFB+pollution&btnG=Search