The Paradox of COVID-19? Ministry of Environment Reports 27% Decrease in Fine Dust from December to March

Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae's Seasonal Management System Results Briefing on the 1st
Impact of Reduced Traffic and Factory Pollutants in China Due to COVID-19
Coal Power Down 39%, Industrial Sector Down 30%... "Strengthening Cooperation with China"

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] From December last year to March this year, the nationwide average concentration of ultrafine dust decreased by 27% compared to the previous year. This is the result of a combination of the fine dust seasonal management policy effects and the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the morning of the 1st, Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae held a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex and stated, "During the seasonal management period, the nationwide average concentration of ultrafine dust was 24㎍/㎥, which is about a 27% decrease from 33㎍/㎥ during the same period last year." The seasonal management system is a policy that strengthens the fine dust management system across all sectors such as power generation, industry, and transportation from December to March of the following year.

According to the announcement, the number of 'good' days more than doubled (13→28 days), and the number of 'bad' days decreased by 37% (35→22 days) during this period. In particular, the number of high concentration days dropped dramatically from 18 to 2 days, an 89% reduction.

The government judged that the policy effects of the seasonal management system, meteorological influences, and changes in domestic and international emissions including COVID-19 worked together. During this period, the average concentration of ultrafine dust across China was 49㎍/㎥, an 11% decrease from the previous year, and the Jing-Jin-Ji area (Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei) and surrounding regions close to Korea are estimated to have decreased by 12% (88→77㎍/㎥).

It is analyzed that the reduction in traffic volume and factory emissions in China due to the impact of COVID-19 helped improve air quality. Similarly, in Korea, highway traffic volume showed a decreasing trend starting last month when the spread of COVID-19 accelerated. Favorable meteorological conditions such as nationwide cumulative precipitation (111→206mm) and the number of east wind days (7→22 days) also contributed positively.

Additionally, Minister Cho evaluated, "By implementing the seasonal management system, we have drastically reduced fine dust emissions in sectors such as power generation, industry, ports, and rural areas."

In the power generation sector, fine dust emissions decreased by 39% (-2,503 tons) compared to the same period last year due to the suspension of coal-fired power plants. Among the total 60 thermal power plants nationwide, up to 15 plants were shut down from December to February last year, and up to 28 plants in March this year, with the remaining plants subjected to output limits of up to 80%.

In the industrial sector, a total of 111 large-scale business sites voluntarily complied with reduction agreements. Fine dust emissions from these sites decreased by 30% (-2,714 tons) compared to last year. The government operated a joint public-private inspection team of about 1,000 personnel to eradicate illegal fine dust emissions from business sites. Furthermore, advanced equipment such as unmanned aerial vehicles (36 drones), mobile measurement vehicles (18 units), and unmanned airships (2 units) were used to intensively monitor major business sites.

In the port and shipping sector, a slow-speed ship operation program was implemented at large ports such as Busan Port and Incheon Port, and the sulfur content standard for fuel oil used by ocean-going vessels was strengthened (from 3.5% to 0.5%). As a result, fine dust emissions were reduced by about 40% (-4,565 tons) compared to ship emissions in 2016.

In the rural sector, approximately 74,000 tons of agricultural waste were collected, and promotional, educational, and enforcement activities were conducted to prevent illegal burning in rural areas.

Additionally, measures such as restricting the operation of grade 5 vehicles within the four gates of Seoul, implementing a two-day driving restriction for public sector vehicles, and limiting the use of old construction machinery at government construction sites were promoted.

The government also announced that cooperation between Korea and China was further strengthened during the seasonal management period. They began sharing air quality forecast information with China and opened an information notification forum at the Korea-China Environmental Cooperation Center located in Beijing, serving as a communication platform for officials and scientists from both countries. Furthermore, the detailed implementation plan for the 'Blue Sky Plan MOU' signed last November will be finalized this month, and both countries agreed to share the achievements of their seasonal management efforts.

With the amendment to the Fine Dust Act, which provides the legal basis for the fine dust seasonal management system, taking effect on the 31st of last month, the government plans to implement the seasonal management system annually going forward. Minister Cho stated, "We will carefully analyze the comprehensive causes of recent fine dust improvements and the performance of this seasonal management system, and based on this, prepare a more improved next seasonal management system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.