Last Year, Fine Dust in Seoul Metropolitan Area 46㎍/㎥, Ultrafine 26㎍/㎥ ... Exceeding WHO Standards

National Institute of Environmental Research Announces Results of Long-Distance Air Pollutant Measurements

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Last year, the annual average concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Seoul metropolitan area were 46㎍/㎥ and 26㎍/㎥ respectively, exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standards.

The National Institute of Environmental Research disclosed on the 8th the results of analyzing measurements of 23 types of long-range transported air pollutants at three atmospheric environment research centers: Baengnyeongdo (Ungjin-gun, Incheon), the Seoul metropolitan area (Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul), and Jeju Island (Aewol-eup, Jeju) ahead of the seasonal particulate matter management system.

The institute analyzed values measured throughout last year for 12 substances including fine particulate matter, and pilot measurements taken during December for 11 substances including benzene.

The annual average particulate matter concentration measured at the Baengnyeongdo Atmospheric Environment Research Center in 2019 was 40㎍/㎥, and the fine particulate matter concentration was 20㎍/㎥.

During the same period, the particulate matter and fine particulate matter concentrations measured at the Seoul metropolitan atmospheric environment research center were 46㎍/㎥ and 26㎍/㎥ respectively.

At the Jeju Island Atmospheric Environment Research Center, particulate matter concentration was 24㎍/㎥ and fine particulate matter concentration was 11㎍/㎥.

The WHO's annual average recommended standards for particulate matter and fine particulate matter are 20㎍/㎥ and 10㎍/㎥ or less, respectively.

The average concentration of lead and its compounds measured over the past year at the three atmospheric environment research centers was below South Korea's air quality standard (500ng/㎥).

For arsenic, manganese, nickel, and their compounds, although no air quality standards have been set, the concentrations were below the WHO recommended standards and Canadian reference levels.

During this period, the average total gaseous mercury concentration at the Baengnyeongdo Atmospheric Environment Research Center was 1.7ng/㎥, slightly higher than 1.3ng/㎥ measured in Bulgwang-dong, Eunpyeong-gu in the Seoul metropolitan area, but still below the WHO recommended standard (1000ng/㎥).

Among volatile organic compounds measured at Baengnyeongdo Atmospheric Environment Research Center during December 2019, concentrations of chloroform (0.09ppb) and vinyl chloride (0.14ppb) were higher than the Canadian Ontario reference levels (0.04, 0.08ppb), indicating the need for continuous monitoring in the future.

Chloroform is mainly emitted from the chemical industry, while vinyl chloride is released from plastic manufacturing plants and landfills.

Kim Young-woo, head of the Climate and Air Research Division at the National Institute of Environmental Research, stated, "Along with the implementation of the secondary seasonal particulate matter management system, we will focus on monitoring and analyzing long-range transported air pollutants to protect public health from the potential threats of harmful air pollutants."

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