Seoul Issues This Winter's First Emergency Ultrafine Dust Reduction Measure... "Refrain from Outdoor Activities"

Adjustment of Operations at Air Pollutant-Emitting Facilities
Implementation of Public-Sector Alternate-Day Driving...Expanded Road Cleaning

The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued this winter's first emergency fine dust reduction measure for ultrafine dust on the 12th.

Fine dust file photo. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The city announced that it is issuing the emergency reduction measure as ultrafine dust advisories were issued across all areas of the capital region on this day, and the ultrafine dust concentration tomorrow (13th) is expected to exceed 50 ㎍/㎥.

To respond to the high concentration of ultrafine dust, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold this winter's first implementation status inspection meeting tomorrow morning, with the participation of the deputy heads of all 25 district offices.

Through this, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow, the operating hours of 45 facilities classified as Type 1 to Type 3 air pollutant-emitting business sites will be reduced or adjusted.

In addition, fine dust reduction measures will be implemented such as shortening or adjusting working hours at 552 construction sites where excavation work is underway, restricting the use of old construction machinery, and strengthening road cleaning.

For road cleaning, priority management roads will be cleaned at least four times a day, and general roads will see cleaning expanded from once a day under normal conditions to at least twice a day.

For official vehicles of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and public institutions, as well as vehicles owned by their executives and employees, the mandatory public-sector alternate-day driving system based on license plate numbers will be implemented.

To protect the health of vulnerable groups to fine dust, such as the elderly and children, the emergency reduction measure will be communicated quickly, and in principle, public outdoor events and the operation of sports facilities organized by the city or district offices will be prohibited.

Kwon Min, Director General of the Climate and Environment Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We ask that you refrain from outdoor activities as much as possible and, if you must go out, pay close attention to protecting your health by following high-concentration fine dust guidelines such as wearing health masks," adding, "We also ask you to participate in the reduction measures by using public transportation as much as possible, and by adjusting operating hours at workplaces and construction sites and refraining from work that generates large amounts of fugitive dust."

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