Free Environmental Hazard Testing for Pregnant Women
[Reporter: Jeong Ji-won]
If you are preparing for pregnancy or are currently pregnant, you may have felt anxious about how much environmental harmful substances are accumulating in your body from everyday cosmetics, plastic containers, and various household items. These invisible environmental hazards are naturally present in our daily lives, and special attention is needed during this critical time for the health of both the mother and the fetus.
To alleviate the concerns of expectant mothers, Gyeonggi Province is launching the "2026 Talk Talk Body Scanner - Stop Worrying About Environmental Hazards for Pregnant Women! Safe and Sound!" initiative. This program offers free testing for the exposure levels of environmental hazards in women preparing for pregnancy and pregnant women, along with systematic support for improving their living environments, making it a unique environmental health service in Gyeonggi Province.
The "Talk Talk Body Scanner" initiative is designed to scientifically assess the exposure levels of environmental hazards in women who are preparing for pregnancy or are in the early to mid-stages of pregnancy, helping them to have a healthier pregnancy period.
The program is open to 300 women residing in Hwaseong and Namyangju cities in Gyeonggi Province. Applications can be submitted from July 1 to July 31, 2026, by entering simple information via the QR code or Google Form provided in the announcement. Participants can conveniently undergo testing following detailed instructions from their local health center.
This testing is characterized by its precision in identifying environmental hazards that are difficult to detect in standard health check-ups. A specialized analysis institution will conduct urine tests to determine the levels of exposure to commonly encountered environmental hazards.
Testing includes 12 types of harmful substances such as:
- Plastic-related substances: Bisphenol A, etc.
- Cosmetic and household product ingredients: Parabens, phthalates, etc.
- Heavy metals
- Coating and waterproofing substances, etc.
Although the test is valued at approximately 400,000 KRW, it will be provided free of charge to participants in this initiative.
Beyond just testing, participants will receive personalized consultations based on their exposure levels. If hazardous substances are detected above average, tailored advice on improving diet, habits, and living environments will be provided, and re-testing will be supported if necessary.
This program not only informs participants of their test results but also offers actionable "reduction guides" for immediate implementation in daily life. For instance, tips on reducing the use of plastic containers, microwave safety precautions, selecting safe cosmetics and household products, and proper food storage methods will be shared. This initiative is expected to contribute to establishing healthy lifestyle habits not only for pregnant women but for their families as well.
This initiative is part of Gyeonggi Province's "Talk Talk Body Scanner" program, which has been proactively pursued since 2023. It is the first local government-led environmental health support project in the country that checks exposure levels of harmful substances based on biological samples and connects testing with counseling and management.
Since 2023, approximately 850 residents have benefited from this testing service, with a focus this year on supporting women preparing for pregnancy and pregnant women, directly related to fetal health. The accumulated testing data will serve as valuable foundational material for future environmental health policy formulation and the prevention of environmentally related diseases in Gyeonggi Province.
For those living in Hwaseong and Namyangju, do not miss this opportunity to apply for the free environmental hazard testing.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224335519536
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