Which City Has the Best Air? Busan Tops Air Quality Among 7 Major Cities with Lowest Fine Particulate Matter

Seasonal Fine Dust Management System, Port Air Quality Improvement

Road Resuspended Dust Reduction Project, Tailored Policies

Busan's air has been found to be the cleanest among the seven major metropolitan cities in Korea.

The Busan Metropolitan City Government announced on the 11th that, according to the "2025 Air Quality Survey," the city's annual average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and particulate matter (PM10) were the lowest among the seven major metropolitan cities nationwide.

In Busan, the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been the lowest among these cities every year since 2020, and that of particulate matter (PM10) has been the lowest every year since 2022. In particular, Busan is the only one of the seven cities that has met the annual environmental standard for fine particulate matter (15 ㎍/㎥) four times.

In this survey, conducted by the Busan Institute of Health and Environment to protect citizens' health and to identify changes in air quality, the annual average concentrations of all air pollutants measured met the relevant environmental standards. With the exception of ozone, most pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, showed a decreasing trend.

Hwamyeong-dong Air Quality Monitoring Station.

On an urban air quality basis, the annual average concentrations were found to be 26 ㎍/㎥ for particulate matter (PM10), 15 ㎍/㎥ for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), 0.0340 ppm for ozone, 0.0029 ppm for sulfur dioxide, 0.33 ppm for carbon monoxide, and 0.0125 ppm for nitrogen dioxide. All of these levels are within the legal standards.

By region, concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were relatively higher in the western areas where industrial zones are concentrated; ozone levels were higher in the eastern and southern coastal areas; and nitrogen dioxide levels were higher near roadside areas with heavy traffic. Even so, the levels of particulate matter and fine particulate matter remained the lowest among major cities nationwide.

The Busan Metropolitan City Government views these results as the outcome of air quality management policies tailored to local characteristics. It explained that it has been steadily implementing measures such as the seasonal fine dust management system, port air quality improvement projects, reduction of road resuspended dust, and expansion of zero-emission vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure.

The city plans to continue its air quality improvement policies, focusing on maintaining clean air and protecting citizens' health.

Busan Mayor Park Hyeongjoon said, "Busan has consistently maintained the lowest annual average concentration of fine particulate matter among the seven major metropolitan cities," adding, "We will continue our efforts to preserve clear and clean air."

Mayor Park also said, "I hope citizens will actively participate in air quality improvement policies, such as low-emission measures for old diesel vehicles and restrictions on the operation of grade 5 emission vehicles."

Air Quality Monitoring Network Site Locations.

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