PM2.5 Concentration Hits Record Low This January... 35% Lower Than Average

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] It has been revealed that the concentration of fine dust (PM2.5) in early January this year decreased by 35% compared to the average of the past three years, marking the lowest level ever recorded.

The Ministry of Environment announced that the nationwide average concentration of fine dust in January this year was 20㎍/㎥, a 35% decrease compared to the recent three-year average (31㎍/㎥). It was about 23% lower than the previous year (26㎍/㎥).

Accordingly, the number of good days in January this year (nationwide daily average fine dust concentration of 15㎍/㎥ or less) increased by 4 days to 10 days compared to the same period last year, and the number of bad days (daily average 36㎍/㎥ or more) decreased by 6 days to 1 day compared to the same period last year.

The Ministry of Environment analyzed that the strong expansion of the continental high pressure system accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature in January this year influenced the improvement in fine dust concentration. In fact, the average wind speed last month was 2.0 m/s, slightly higher than 1.9 m/s in January last year, and the number of stagnant days decreased (21 days → 17 days).

Kim Seung-hee, Director of Air Environment Policy at the Ministry of Environment, said, "The second seasonal management system, which is implemented for four months, has passed the halfway point, but the remaining two months until March are the period when fine dust concentration is the highest," adding, "We will do our best to manage the situation without any disruption until the seasonal management system ends."

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