"Managing Fine Dust in Living Areas More Densely" Seoul City Establishes Fine Dust Simple Measurement Network

Installed 70 Fine Dust Alert Devices in Elementary Schools and Welfare Facilities to Protect Vulnerable Groups' Health
Continuous Monitoring of Fine Dust Pollution Sources Such as Air Emission Sites and Construction Sites During Seasonal Management Period

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 28th that it will install 451 portable fine dust measuring devices around construction sites, elementary schools, and fine dust intensive management zones by the end of this year to enable more detailed management of fine dust in living areas.

Seoul has currently installed 301 first-grade certified portable measuring devices at major fine dust emission sources such as air pollutant emission facilities and construction sites, as well as at elementary schools and fine dust intensive management zones, and plans to install an additional 150 devices by the end of November. Although the accuracy of the first-grade portable fine dust measuring devices is about 80% compared to the nationally certified air pollution monitoring stations, the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment has improved accuracy using artificial intelligence and continuously maintains the devices.

Seoul currently discloses fine dust information measured at 25 air pollution monitoring stations through the Seoul Air Environment Information website. With the expansion of the portable fine dust monitoring network, it is expected that real-time disclosure of the 1-hour average concentration of ultrafine dust will enable more detailed fine dust information provision and efficient management of fine dust pollution sources.

Furthermore, Seoul plans to protect the health of vulnerable groups from high concentrations of fine dust by installing 70 ‘Fine Dust Alert (Traffic Light)’ devices that provide real-time fine dust information in living spaces of vulnerable groups such as elementary schools, elderly care facilities, facilities for the disabled, and child protection facilities. This year, 40 additional Fine Dust Alert devices will be installed in elderly and child welfare facilities, providing real-time fine dust information at 70 locations including the 30 elementary schools where devices were previously installed.

Additionally, during the third year of the seasonal fine dust management period, Seoul plans to establish a continuous monitoring system for fine dust pollution sources by utilizing portable fine dust measuring devices installed in construction sites and areas dense with air pollutant emission facilities.

Meanwhile, Seoul plans to provide a route guidance service in the future that minimizes citizens’ exposure to fine dust when they engage in outdoor activities or travel, based on big data analysis of accumulated fine dust concentration and portable monitoring network measurement data.

Shin Yong-seung, Director of the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment, said, “The main purpose of the portable fine dust monitoring network is to provide detailed fine dust information. During the seasonal management period, it functions to continuously monitor pollution sources and reduce citizens’ exposure to fine dust when they go out in daily life.”

Yoo Yeon-sik, Head of the Seoul Climate and Environment Headquarters, said, “Seoul will continue to strengthen management of fine dust emission sources in areas closely related to citizens’ daily lives. In addition, we will prepare thoroughly for the third seasonal fine dust management system to be implemented from December this year, doing our best to create an environment where citizens can breathe comfortably.”