Emission reduction measures enforced for 1st time this spring

The Ministry of Environment enforced emergency emission reduction measures in the Greater Seoul region for the first time this year on Tuesday, as the capital area faced heavy concentrations of ultrafine dust for five consecutive days.

The measures implemented from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday required waste incinerators and other high-emission public facilities to adjust their hours and operational rates, while also mandating that construction change or adjust their work hours and use dust-blocking covers.

The ministry also plans to deploy aerial drones to crack down on fine dust polluters who violate the rules while also implementing a road ban for old diesel cars and an alternate no-driving system for public vehicles.

According to the Environment Ministry and the Korea Meteorological Administration, ultrafine dust particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter ― known as PM 2.5 ― are forecast to remain at “bad” levels in the Greater Seoul area and South Chungcheong Province through Tuesday and into Wednesday.

South Korea classifies levels of PM 2.5 between 36 and 75 micrograms per cubic meter as “bad," while the World Health Organization recommends keeping levels below 25 micrograms. In Korea, ultrafine dust concentrations exceeding 50 micrograms per cubic meter are expected to linger in the air throughout Tuesday, with the possibility of such conditions continuing into Wednesday.

The persistently high levels of ultrafine dust are due to atmospheric stagnation, with fine dust generated domestically and flowing in from abroad accumulating in the air, according to the National Institute of Environmental Research.

The KMA added that poor air quality may continue on the Korean Peninsula for the time being, as high levels of fine dust are expected to continue until Thursday due to yellow dust originating from northeastern China flowing into Korea via northwesterly winds.

Meanwhile, Korea is expected to see warm spring temperatures throughout the week, with average nationwide daytime temperatures reaching as high as 19 degrees Celsius until Friday. However, with little wind expected, the fine dust is expected to accumulate for some time in the Greater Seoul region as well as North and South Chungcheong Province, North Jeolla Province and Gangwon Province.