Emergency Fine Dust Reduction Measures Issued in Chungnam Region...Tomorrow Emission Grade 5 Vehicles to Be Monitored

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] An emergency fine dust reduction measure has been issued in the Chungcheongnam-do region. Tomorrow (16th), the operation of Grade 5 emission vehicles, such as old diesel cars, will be restricted in the Chungnam area.

The Ministry of Environment announced on the 15th that it has issued an ultrafine dust crisis alert at the 'Interest' level for the Chungnam region and will implement emergency reduction measures accordingly.

In the Chungnam region, the daily average concentration of ultrafine dust exceeded 50㎍/㎥ until 4 p.m. today, and it is expected to exceed 50㎍/㎥ again tomorrow, meeting the criteria for issuing emergency reduction measures.

With the implementation of the emergency reduction measures, starting from 6 a.m. tomorrow, operation restrictions will be enforced on Grade 5 emission vehicles in the Chungnam area.

Originally, the Ministry of Environment planned to conduct a simulated operation restriction on Grade 5 vehicles for five days starting from the 16th across 17 cities and provinces nationwide, but due to the emergency reduction measure issuance in Chungnam, actual enforcement will take place.

Mandatory workplaces and construction sites will also implement fine dust emission reduction measures through adjustments in operating rates and operating hours.

At large fine dust emitting workplaces (55 sites) such as petrochemical and refining plants, steel manufacturing, and public facilities like waste incineration plants and sewage treatment plants, measures such as changing operating hours, adjusting operating rates, or improving efficiency will be implemented.

Additionally, construction sites will implement dust suppression measures such as changing or adjusting construction hours, operating water spraying vehicles, and covering with dustproof sheets.

Among the total 30 coal power plants in the jurisdiction, 25 will be subject to a maximum output limit of 80% or less, while the remaining 5 will not operate due to preventive maintenance or other reasons.

The Ministry of Environment, Geumgang River Basin Environmental Office, and Chungcheongnam-do will conduct inspections and crackdowns targeting workplaces and construction sites that emit large amounts of fine dust. Public health protection measures such as recommending reduced outdoor activities and distributing masks to vulnerable groups will also be carried out simultaneously.

Hwang Seok-tae, Director of the Ministry of Environment's Living Environment Policy Office, stated, "Since high concentrations of fine dust can occur at any time during winter due to weather conditions, we will enhance proactive response capabilities such as implementing seasonal management systems and do our best to ensure that protection for vulnerable groups is carried out without any setbacks."

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