Chungnam Issues 34 Ozone Advisories This Year, Twice as Many as Last Year

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The number of ozone advisories issued in Chungnam this year has more than doubled compared to last year.

According to the Chungnam Provincial Institute of Health and Environment on the 21st, a total of 34 ozone advisories have been issued in the region as of the 18th, which is 19 more than the 15 issued during the same period last year.

In particular, considering that 29 ozone advisories were issued throughout the entire last year, this year has already surpassed the total number of advisories issued last year within the first half of the year.

The first issuance of an ozone advisory this year was also about 40 days earlier than last year. The first ozone advisory in Chungnam this year was issued on April 20 in Cheonan, where the highest concentration recorded was 0.133 ppm.

By region, Boryeong had the highest number of advisories with 8, followed by Cheonan with 7, Seosan with 5, Dangjin with 5, Asan with 4, Yesan with 3, and Hongseong with 2.

Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mixed in the air meet sunlight. About 90% of the ozone on Earth is distributed in the stratosphere, especially concentrated at altitudes of 25 to 30 km, while the remaining 10% exists in the troposphere below 10 km altitude.

The Provincial Institute of Health and Environment operates 37 monitoring stations across 15 cities and counties in the province to check ozone concentrations. Depending on the concentration in the atmosphere, advisories are issued as follows: a "caution advisory" at 0.12 ppm or higher, a "warning" at 0.3 ppm or higher, and a "severe warning" at 0.5 ppm or higher. The issuance of advisories is communicated via text alert services.

A representative from the Provincial Institute of Health and Environment stated, "Due to climate change and rising temperatures causing prolonged heatwaves, ozone concentrations are likely to remain high this year. When ozone levels increase, they can irritate the respiratory system and mucous membranes, causing inflammation or leading to lung diseases. Therefore, when an advisory is issued, respiratory patients, the elderly, and children should refrain from outdoor activities."

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