By Kim Rahn
Officials of Korea and the U.S. have collected samples of groundwater near a U.S. base where a toxic defoliant was allegedly buried in 1978 in the first step in a joint investigation into the claims.
A dozen Korean experts including those from the National Institute of Environmental Research collected samples from 10 locations within a 2-kilometer radius of Camp Carroll in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday afternoon, according to the Ministry of Environment.
The action comes five days after the two sides agreed on the joint investigation last Sunday.
“We will analyze the samples to see if elements of Agent Orange, such as dioxin, are detected in the water,” a ministry official said.
The institute, the Korea Environment Corp. and the North Gyeongsang branch of the Public Institute of Health and Environment will analyze the samples. “It is expected to take approximately two weeks before the results are out,” the official added.
Officials from the U.S. Army and representatives for local residents were present. The American officials didn’t collect the samples themselves, as the U.S. hasn’t finalized a list of members to participate in the joint investigation team.
As the U.S. plans to include environmental experts from the mainland, a full probe, including an inspection inside the camp site, is likely to begin next week after they arrive in Korea. “For the investigation on the base, American experts will lead the probe in the presence of Korean experts,” the official said.
The full-scale inquiry will include using ground-penetrating radar to check for barrels or anything buried under the helipads on the base, a suspected dumping area, and analyzing water and soil in the camp, according to the ministry.
While the investigation is ongoing, a separate analysis showed an infinitesimal presence of dioxin in the groundwater near the camp, according to the North Gyeongsang provincial government.
“Among three samples, one contained a minute amount of the carcinogenic chemical. But it hasn’t been confirmed if the chemical is related to Agent Orange, as it is used in other herbicides as well,” said an official of the provincial government.
Regarding the report, the ministry said the detected amount is so small that there is no health risk.