by Park Haesook
Published 15 Apr.2026 10:30(KST)
A research study has found that ultrafine particulate matter (PM-2.5) in the island regions of Incheon, which have almost no sources of local pollution, is highly likely to have originated from overseas and been carried in by the wind.
According to the "Investigation of Overseas Ultrafine Particulate Matter Inflow Characteristics in Incheon Island Areas" research report released by the Incheon Institute on April 15, the islands of Incheon are considered "national background areas," meaning they are not affected by artificial pollution sources. However, the annual average concentration of ultrafine dust (PM-2.5) in these areas has consistently exceeded the national air quality standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (㎍/㎥).
This study used data from national background concentration monitoring networks and the Baengnyeongdo Air Quality Research Institute for the period from 2018 to 2024, focusing on Baengnyeongdo, Yeonpyeongdo, and Ul Island, to analyze the occurrence characteristics of ultrafine dust in the island areas and the routes of inflow from overseas.
The analysis showed that high concentrations of ultrafine dust in the island areas occurred intensively from January to March each year. In January 2023, extremely high concentrations of over 260 ㎍/㎥ were observed in both Baengnyeongdo and Ul Island.
In particular, most cases of high concentrations exceeding 100 ㎍/㎥ were confirmed to have been brought in by northwesterly winds, indicating that the influence from overseas sources was likely greater than that of domestic emissions. Component analysis of the ultrafine dust identified nitrate as the main cause of increased concentrations, with its proportion tending to grow during autumn and winter.
A comprehensive analysis using back-trajectory models and air quality data from China suggested that, during high-concentration events, air masses passed through high-pollution regions such as Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shandong, and Liaoning in China before reaching the Incheon island areas.
Hyunyoung Park, Associate Research Fellow at the Incheon Institute, stated, "The island areas of Incheon serve as important observation bases for identifying the characteristics of overseas ultrafine particulate matter inflow," adding, "Since Incheon is a region highly affected by overseas sources due to wind patterns, it is necessary to establish joint research initiatives and collaborative platforms with relevant countries."
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