Gwanak-gu, Thorough Preparation for High-Concentration Fine Dust in Winter

[Seoul District News] Gwanak-gu Invests 300 Million KRW in City Funds to Create and Manage ‘Fine Dust Intensive Management Zone (1.2㎢)’ around Sillim Intersection & Operates ‘Fine Dust Seasonal Management System’ from December to March, Inspecting Construction Sites, Air Emission Facilities, and Multi-use Facilities

Electric dust suction vehicle cleaning fine dust on side roads

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) is rolling up its sleeves to tackle high concentrations of fine dust as the winter season, when fine dust occurrences are frequent, approaches.

Gwanak-gu operates the Sinlim Intersection area, a traffic-congested zone with a high floating population and many direct-fire grilled restaurants and construction sites, as a "Fine Dust Intensive Management Zone." This area also has numerous facilities used by children and the elderly, such as daycare centers, elementary schools, and senior centers, making fine dust reduction measures especially necessary.

Accordingly, the district secured 300 million KRW in city funds and is actively promoting projects to reduce fine dust throughout the district, including the Fine Dust Intensive Management Zone.

First, 35 "window ventilation type air purifiers," which circulate outdoor and indoor air without opening windows, were installed in two daycare centers and four senior centers. This prevented cold outdoor air from entering, alleviating concerns about fine dust and cold exposure for infants and the elderly, receiving positive responses.

Additionally, smart gardens using automated plant systems that reduce harmful air substances such as formaldehyde and control air purification were established inside two daycare centers and one elderly care facility.

Alongside this, on side streets densely populated with direct-fire grilled restaurants, eco-friendly electric-powered fine dust cleaning vehicles operate more than 30 km daily to thoroughly clean fine dust. By the end of December, 27 fine dust reduction devices attached to streetlights and security lights will be installed at bus stops and children's parks.

Meanwhile, from December to March next year, the district will operate a "Fine Dust Seasonal Management System" to fully respond to high concentrations of fine dust. Measures include ▲special inspections of dust-emitting construction sites, air emission facilities, and multi-use facilities ▲expanded operation of cleaning vehicles ▲crackdown on vehicle emissions and idling ▲special points for passenger car mileage and eco-mileage ▲distribution of eco-friendly boilers for households, implementing meticulous fine dust management.

Furthermore, until last year, the district installed 1,053 indoor air quality monitors, 380 fine dust alert devices, and 305 fine dust blocking nets in facilities such as daycare centers and senior centers, striving to create a safe indoor environment from fine dust.

A district official stated, "We will continue efforts to improve residents' health by establishing fine dust measures tailored to local characteristics," and added, "We ask for the active interest and participation of residents in various fine dust reduction projects conducted by the district during the Fine Dust Seasonal Management System period."