Air Purifier 'Strong Wind' Mode Needed to Block Ultrafine Dust

Three-Year Achievements of the Inter-Ministerial Fine Dust Project
China Fine Dust + Korean Vehicle Emissions = High-Concentration Ultrafine Dust 'Vicious Cycle'
10㎍/㎥ Increase Raises Respiratory Disease Hospitalization Risk by up to 2.82%
Air Purifiers Must Be Used Strongly to Be Effective

On the 11th, when high-concentration fine dust emergency reduction measures were implemented in the central region including Seoul, the downtown area of Seoul appeared hazy. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] High concentrations of fine dust in urban areas of South Korea are caused by the interaction between fine dust coming from China and moisture-laden automobile exhaust gases in South Korea. During this process, secondary fine dust is generated, increasing the concentration. It was found that when fine dust increases by 10㎍/㎥ in seven major cities, the risk of hospitalization due to respiratory diseases increases by up to 2.82%. To reduce damage from ultrafine dust indoors, air purifiers are used, but it was analyzed that they are only effective when operated at high wind settings. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the results of this cross-ministerial fine dust project online on the 10th.

Chinese Fine Dust + Korean Exhaust Gas = High-Concentration Ultrafine Dust 'Vicious Cycle'

Causes of High-Concentration Ultrafine Dust Generation

The government has invested 49.2 billion KRW from September 2017 to this month to conduct research and develop countermeasures against fine dust using science and technology.

As a result, the government identified the unique mechanism behind the occurrence of high-concentration ultrafine dust in South Korea. Fine dust from China crosses into South Korea and combines with moisture-containing domestic automobile exhaust gases to form nitrate (ultrafine dust). The nitrate then meets moisture again to generate additional nitrate, increasing the concentration. The government expects that restricting the operation of old diesel vehicles and other measures to suppress nitrate formation will reduce the occurrence of ultrafine dust.

The accuracy of fine dust forecasts has also been improved. The relationships for fine dust generation and emission amounts necessary for forecasting were adjusted to fit domestic atmospheric conditions and emission sources. In particular, an emission model (CARS) was developed that inputs information such as congestion levels and vehicle age by road nationwide to improve estimates of air pollutant emissions from vehicles by time and region.

Masks Are Effective in Blocking Fine Dust

Measurement Results of Mask (KF80) Wearing Effectiveness

The impact of fine dust on human health was also revealed. In seven major cities, when fine dust concentration increases by 10㎍/㎥, the risk of hospitalization for respiratory diseases such as asthma and pneumonia increases by 0.29?2.82% among those under 15 years old. For those aged 65 and older, the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases increases by 0.21?2.82%.

The protective effect of wearing health masks was quantitatively identified. For seniors aged 65 and above, wearing a mask (KF80) was found to suppress blood pressure increases. When ultrafine dust concentration increased by 10㎍/㎥, wearing a mask reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.8 mmHg compared to not wearing a mask. The greater the increase in concentration, the larger the decrease in blood pressure.

Air Purifiers Are Effective Only When Set to High Wind

Finally, the government issued usage guidelines for lifestyle protection products to block fine dust. For air purifiers, since the standard usage area is based on maximum airflow conditions, it was found that during high-concentration fine dust events, setting the purifier to high wind mode is more effective than automatic operation. Kitchen hoods should be operated for 30 minutes after cooking, and ventilation devices are effective when used to remove carbon dioxide or gaseous pollutants.

Following the conclusion of this project, the government will proceed with fine dust countermeasures by ministry. These include Northeast Asia regional-linked ultrafine dust response technology development (Ministry of Science and ICT, 45.8 billion KRW), fine dust blind spot management and demonstration technology development (Ministry of Environment, 30 billion KRW), and research on diseases caused by fine dust (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 25 billion KRW), all starting this year. The government is also planning a cross-ministerial joint technology development project (preliminary feasibility study) for the fundamental resolution of fine dust issues.

Kim Bongsu, Director of Basic and Fundamental Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "I thank the researchers who have worked hard for three years to solve fine dust problems based on science and technology. The government will continue to support R&D necessary to fundamentally solve fine dust issues and will strive to explain to the public in an easy-to-understand way how R&D outcomes have contributed to solving fine dust problems."

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