Seoul City Conducts Intensive Inspection on 447 Volatile Organic Compound Emission Sites... 33 Cases Detected

Gas Stations, Printing Shops, Large Laundries, and Other Volatile Organic Compound Emission Sites Inspected
Focused Crackdown on 447 Locations with High Ozone Levels... 27 Cases Detected and Administrative Actions Such as Improvement Orders Taken

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 10th that it conducted intensive inspections on 447 sites emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which cause ozone formation, and unauthorized painting facilities, resulting in 33 violations detected and administrative actions taken.

Ozone is generated through the photochemical reaction of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, with volatile organic compounds being the primary causative substances. At high concentrations, ozone can irritate the human bronchial tubes and lungs, causing various diseases. Recently, ozone levels have been continuously increasing.

Accordingly, Seoul established a plan to reduce VOC emissions to lower ozone generation and conducted special inspections of emission sites and joint crackdowns on unauthorized painting facilities from May to the end of October. The city inspected VOC emission sites such as gas stations, painting facilities, and large laundries for ▲ whether emission facilities were reported and if the report contents were abnormal ▲ installation of emission suppression facilities such as vapor recovery systems ▲ proper operation of prevention facilities.

In particular, in Seongdong-gu, where illegal automobile painting facilities are concentrated, the city and district joint crackdown team formed 10 squads to conduct a comprehensive crackdown, and six violating businesses that illegally painted automobiles without permits were reported.

Alongside the crackdown, Seoul has supported businesses by replacing 277 outdated prevention facilities through a small-scale business prevention facility support project since 2019, and this year, it has been operating three pilot VOC reduction devices installed at non-regulated printing shops.

Kim Deok-hwan, Director of the Air Policy Division of Seoul, said, “Ozone generation can be reduced through thorough management of VOC emission sites and improvement of outdated prevention facilities,” adding, “We urge active participation from VOC businesses in replacing prevention facilities and request citizens to refrain from using unauthorized automobile painting facilities. We will actively promote continuous inspections and crackdowns on VOC emission sites, replacement of outdated prevention facilities, and technical support.”

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