Seoul Jung-gu, Full Effort to Reduce Fine Dust for Spring

High-Pressure Water Trucks and Dust Suction Vehicles Used to Clean Roads Including Alleyways...Fine Dust Traffic Lights Installed in Areas with Frequent Resident Traffic Such as Hwanghak-dong and Yaksu-dong

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Seoyangho) is promoting various projects such as road water cleaning to reduce fine dust, the main culprit harming residents' health in spring.

In March, when ultrafine dust concentration is the highest throughout the year and air stagnation frequently occurs, road cleaning will be carried out using high-pressure water trucks, dust suction vehicles, and road surface cleaning vehicles to protect residents' health from winter grime and fine dust. The work will continue from the issuance of emergency fine dust reduction measures until they are lifted.

Until now, street water cleaning was done only on main roads using large vehicles, but this year, small water trucks under 5 tons will be deployed to thoroughly clean alleyways, side streets, and school routes closely related to residents' daily lives.

The district recently expanded the installation of fine dust traffic lights that allow real-time air pollution concentration to be seen at a glance. Based on residents' opinions, 21 locations with heavy foot traffic such as Hwanghak-dong, Yaksu-dong, and Dasan-dong were equipped to proactively respond to high concentrations of fine dust.

Five schools in the area installed window-type ventilation purification systems, and AI smart IoT air showers were installed at the main entrances of eight buildings including elementary and middle schools and nursing centers, receiving positive responses from residents.

This year, the installations will be expanded to residential areas in traffic-congested zones and facilities used by vulnerable groups.

Also, the "Fine Dust Seasonal Management System" will be implemented until March. During this period, mileage members driving passenger cars under 1850 km will be given mileage worth 10,000 won based on usage. Additionally, eco-mileage households that reduced their average energy consumption by more than 20% over the past two years during the same period will receive extra incentives.

Furthermore, households installing eco-friendly boilers will receive 200,000 won per unit, and vulnerable groups will receive 600,000 won. KF94 masks will be distributed in March to public facilities and educational institutions such as welfare centers, daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as private multi-use facilities within the district.

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "Along with COVID-19, as fine dust is rampant these days, we will spare no support to create a clean and pleasant Jung-gu where residents can live safely and healthily."

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