Abstract
Perchlorate is used in a number of applications as an oxidizer in solid propellants, munitions and fireworks and is one of the endocrine disrupting chemicals, which interferes with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. The purpose of this study was to investigate perchlorate occurrence and distribution with a results of analysis of 94 samples collected from military facilities in Korea from October 11 to October 23, 2011. Overall, among all of the 94 samples analyzed, perchlorate was detected in 6.4% of the total number of samples above $4{\mu}g/L$ (minimum reported limit) and the average concentration was $26.1{\mu}g/L$ and the maximum concentration was $107.7{\mu}g/L$ which was observed in surface water near manufacturing site of ammunition. By site classification, perchlorate was detected at one site in 4 manufacturing sites of ammunition and the maximum concentration was $107.7{\mu}g/L$ which was six times higher than that in guideline for perchlorate in Nakdong River and resulted from point source discharge. Perchlorate was detected at 3 sites in 78 measurements for shooting area and the maximum concentration was $12.4{\mu}g/L$ which was collected in dringking water and perchlorate in another sample was detected above MRL in shooting area was collected right away after shooting. These results showed that long term monitoring was needed considering weather conditions and shooting schedules.