Chungcheongnam-do

Once beaches and seas in Taean were severly contaminated by the Hebei Spirit oil spill disaster which broke out in December of 2007. Due to all dedication of Korean Government, ChungNam Province and numerous volunteers, Taean gets back its previous beautiful appearance and seems to sweep away all the damages from that oil spill disaster. Now there is no more remnants of oil spill and foul smell on the beaches, seas, rocks and pebbles of the contaminated areas. Thus, Taean has revived into original clean sea giving chance to be touched and appreciate the nature self-purifying capacity. Shall we visit Taean and be struck with the eminent scenery of the West Sea?

The Environment of Taean Recovered to the Level of No Harm to Human Body
A research reported that the maritime environment of the contaminated Taean area is recovered to the level of no more harm to human body after the previous oil spill disaster from the Hebei Spirit.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of South Korea reported that “According to the 2nd survey data on the effect of the spill over disaster in Taean operated in July of 2008, the concentration level of PAHs in sample oysters procured in Taean area are similar to the average concentration level of oysters caught in Mallipo in the 2001 survey(according to that survey, the average concentration was 42 PBB. PBB represents one one thousandth of PPM)”. And the ministry also reported that the average concentration in the bodies of fish caught in Taean(19PPM) proved similar to that of fish in Boryeong(16PPM), one of uncontaminated area near Taean.
These results mean the safety of fish and shellfish as food since April of this year.
PAHs is a kind of cancer-causing substance included in oil and used as a barometer representing the severity of damage caused by an oil contamination. As for BaP, a level to evaluate the degree of a damage caused by certain contaminated sea food to human body, all of the levels stayed between 0.20-0.80 ppb and none of the former contaminated areas exceeded the permissible level of 3.35 ppb through all investigations of 25 spots during 7 months. Dr. Wonjun Shim of Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI) said, “Steady surveys on the long-term changes to the ecosystem and related restore programs are needed in spite of the speedy recovery of the environment after the disaster through the nationwide dedications for settlement.”

Estimated Maximum Losses by the Oil Spill Disaster Amounted to 601 Billion Won(KRW)
The estimated maximum economic losses resulting from the Taean oil spill disaster increased to 601 Billion won(KRW). IOPC Fund reported that the total estimated losses due to the disaster might reach to the amount between minimum 566.3 billions and maximum 601.3 billions won.
A Korean delegation consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs(MLTM), the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(MIFAFF), Chungnam and nongovernmental experts, said, “Now residents living in the contaminated areas suffer tremendous economic losses due to tardy compensations for damages.” And the delegation urged the related international fund and member countries to rapidly assess total losses and properly compensate for them. The delegation also demanded measures of the related international funds for the damaged people, who have difficulties in preparing direct supporting evidences or can't be fully compensated for their losses, to provide the effective compensation for them.