[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Emergency fine dust reduction measures will be implemented on the 8th in nine metropolitan cities and provinces, including the Seoul metropolitan area.
The Ministry of Environment announced on the 7th that it will issue a fine dust (PM2.5) crisis alert at the interest stage and implement emergency fine dust reduction measures from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 8th in nine metropolitan cities and provinces: Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Sejong, and Gangwon Yeongseo.
On the 7th, emergency reduction measures were implemented nationwide except for Gangwon Yeongdong.
The nine metropolitan cities and provinces exceeded an average daily concentration of 50㎍/㎥ of fine dust from midnight to 4 p.m. on the 7th, and the average daily concentration on the 8th is also expected to exceed 50㎍/㎥, meeting the conditions for implementing emergency reduction measures.
According to the emergency reduction measures, eight coal-fired power plants in Incheon and Chungnam will remain shut down, and 27 plants will have output restrictions (upper limits) maintained.
In addition, high fine dust emission workplaces will shorten operating hours and reduce operating rates. The frequency of street cleaning in urban areas will increase.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government extended the closure period of the Seoul Plaza skating rink until the 8th.
Since the 8th is a holiday, enforcement of driving restrictions on grade 5 emission vehicles will not be conducted.
With the influx of fine dust and yellow dust, the entire country has been covered with high concentrations of fine dust.
As of 8 p.m., the average daily concentration of fine dust (PM2.5) on the 7th was 56㎍/㎥, and the average daily concentration of particulate matter (PM10) was 109㎍/㎥. Considering that the annual average concentration in 2021 was 18㎍/㎥ for fine dust and 36㎍/㎥ for particulate matter, the fine dust is several times thicker than usual.
The National Institute of Environmental Research forecasted that on the 8th, fine dust levels will be 'bad' in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Chungcheong region, Honam region, Yeongnam region, and Jeju region, while other areas will be 'normal.'
However, the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Sejong, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk are expected to experience temporarily 'very bad' fine dust levels in the morning.
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