Seoul City Issues Simultaneous Warnings for Fine Dust and Ultrafine Dust (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Institute of Health and Environment announced that it issued a fine dust advisory at 7 p.m. on the 19th, followed by an additional dust advisory at 9 p.m.

This was due to the hourly average concentration of particulate matter (PM-10) in Seoul’s 25 autonomous districts remaining above 150㎍/㎥ for two consecutive hours. The average particulate matter concentration was 158㎍/㎥ at 8 p.m. and 172㎍/㎥ at 9 p.m.

The average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) was 108㎍/㎥ as of 9 p.m., and the advisory remains in effect. The Institute of Health and Environment explained that the increase in fine particulate matter and particulate matter concentrations was due to the inflow of foreign dust and stagnant air conditions.

This is the first issuance of a fine particulate matter advisory in the Seoul area in about six months since 3 p.m. on May 7. The fine particulate matter advisory is issued when the hourly average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) in Seoul’s 25 autonomous districts remains above 75㎍/㎥ for two consecutive hours.

The Institute of Health and Environment estimated that the air flow stagnated due to the influence of a high-pressure system located around the Korean Peninsula, combined with the inflow of air pollutants from abroad and domestic particulate matter, resulting in elevated fine particulate matter concentrations.

Shin Yong-seung, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Institute of Health and Environment, said, “Citizens with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, the elderly, and children should refrain from going outside as much as possible and wear yellow dust masks when going out.”

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