Underground water near the U.S. military’s Camp Kim in Seoul has been found to be contaminated with harmful components of crude oil, data from the Seoul city government showed Tuesday.

Samples of ground water gathered from March-November 2011 from outer regions of Camp Kim, located adjacent to Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, had petroleum hydrocarbon levels as high as 1,436.8 milligram per liter, about 958 times the allowable level of 1.5 mg/l, according to the Seoul city data, obtained by Democratic United Party lawmaker Jang Ha-na.

Harmful chemicals in THP include hexane and benzene as well as other constituents of gasoline and other petroleum products.

In addition to the highest TPH level detected, the samples also showed TPH levels ranging from 328.5 mg/l to 507.6 mg/l, the data said. (Yonhap News)