By Alexander Ahn
Of Seoul’s 25 districts, Jongno has the highest background radiation level, while Songpa, the capital’s most populated district, has the lowest, according to new data.
The environmental service provider, SR Korea, conducted a study from June 1 to 5 measuring radiation levels of all 25 districts, and released the results Friday.
According to the results, Jongno recorded 0.21 microsieverts, or degree of radiation absorbed per hour. Songpa recorded 0.15 microsieverts per hour.
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) set the current safety standard for radiation exposure, 0.5 microsieverts per hour.
Radiation in districts ranked highest to lowest are Jongno (0.21), Yongsan (0.195), Gwangjin (0.195), Junggu (0.19), Nowon (0.19), Gangseo (0.18), Seocho (0.18), Gangdong (0.18), Dobong (0.18), Jungnang (0.18), Gangbuk (0.18) and Seongdong (0.175).
The area around the Seoul City Hall was found to have similar radiation levels to measurements in Seongdong.
“Radiation levels in Seoul are somewhat high and may require some monitoring, but overall they do not pose any significant danger to the public’s health or safety,” SR Korea said in a press release.
“The government is managing the Integrated Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network, but is limited in measuring everyday irradiation due to the restrictive number of monitoring locations.”
SR Korea is providing a radiation safety watch application called RadMap. The app informs users of radiation levels across the country, which also include those in Seoul’s districts.