Tomorrow, the First 'Fine Dust Emergency Reduction Measures' of the Year to be Implemented in the Seoul Metropolitan Area and Chungnam (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] The Ministry of Environment announced on the 8th that it will issue the first ultrafine dust crisis alert of the year at the 'Interest' level and implement emergency fine dust reduction measures in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 9th.

On the 16th, when emergency fine dust reduction measures were implemented in the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, a notice of ultrafine dust alert appeared on the electronic display board on Sejong-daero, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On this day, the daily average concentration of ultrafine dust in the affected areas is expected to exceed 75㎍/㎥, meeting the issuance criteria.

This high concentration situation is forecasted to occur due to the influx of foreign fine dust from the night of the 8th and the addition of domestic fine dust caused by stagnant air.

Accordingly, the relevant provinces will implement emergency fine dust reduction measures on the 9th. The metropolitan area has been proactively implementing preliminary reduction measures from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 8th.

First, the operation of four coal-fired power plants in the areas where emergency reduction measures are issued will be suspended, and restrictions will be imposed on 31 plants to reduce coal power generation.

Emergency reduction measures will also be implemented at workplaces and construction sites operated by private and administrative public institutions in the four provinces.

At fine dust heavy-emitting workplaces (297 sites) in the emergency reduction measure areas, measures such as changing operating hours, adjusting operating rates, or improving efficiency must be taken.

Additionally, construction sites must change or adjust working hours, operate water spraying vehicles, and cover dust with dustproof covers to suppress flying dust.

The Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Office, Han River Basin Environmental Office, and Geum River Basin Environmental Office, which have jurisdiction over the emergency reduction measure areas, plan to inspect industrial complexes and other densely concentrated workplace areas using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and mobile measurement vehicles.

However, since the 9th is a holiday, restrictions on the operation of grade 5 emission vehicles will not be enforced.

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