Songpa-gu, Special Management of Fine Dust That Worsens in Winter

76% of High-Concentration Fine Dust Occurrences in the Past 3 Years Concentrated from December to March... Special Fine Dust Management for 4 Months Starting December in 4 Sectors Including Transportation and Workplaces... Idling Crackdown, Energy-Intensive Building Inspections, Deployment of Water Sprinklers and Dust Vacuum Vehicles

As forecasts suggest that fine dust levels this winter may be worse than in previous years, Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) will implement the "5th Seasonal Fine Dust Management System" until March next year.

The "Seasonal Fine Dust Management System" is a policy that enforces strengthened fine dust reduction measures from winter, when high concentrations of fine dust frequently occur, through early spring to protect residents' health. It started in 2019 and this year marks its fifth implementation.

In fact, over the past three years, the average number of days with high-concentration fine dust (50㎍/㎥ or higher) in Songpa-gu was 25 days, of which 76%, or 19 days, occurred during the seasonal management period from December to March.

Accordingly, the district will carry out 12 projects in four areas?transportation, heating, workplaces, and exposure reduction?over four months for special management aimed at reducing fine dust.

The key projects in the transportation sector include crackdowns on vehicle emissions and idling, and providing special mileage points for passenger cars. During this period, a four-member enforcement team will be formed to conduct intensive inspections of vehicle emissions and idling, focusing on 115 idling restriction zones and areas with frequent complaints.

Additionally, "Passenger Car Mileage" members who drove less than 1,697 km, which is 50% of the average driving distance over four months in Seoul last year, will be awarded special points worth 10,000 KRW.

In the heating sector, compliance with appropriate heating temperatures will be monitored in 24 large energy-consuming buildings such as lodging facilities within the district. Households registered as Eco Mileage members who reduce their energy consumption?including electricity, water, and city gas?by more than 20% compared to the previous two years will receive points worth 10,000 KRW.

In the workplace sector, a task force team will focus on intensive inspections and crackdowns. Together with citizen participation monitoring groups, 45 air pollutant-emitting workplaces and 108 dust-generating workplaces will be inspected to ensure compliance with emission standards.

Moreover, enforcement activities against illegal burning of agricultural waste in farmlands, which commonly occurs during winter, will be strengthened.

In the exposure reduction sector, Songpa-daero and Ogeum-ro (8.2 km), designated as fine dust intensive management roads, will be cleaned more than four times a day. Six high-pressure water trucks, eight dust vacuum trucks, and twelve street sweepers will be deployed. The daily cleaning distance will also be expanded from 50 km to 60 km.

Furthermore, special inspections will be conducted on the proper operation of indoor air ventilation systems at 52 multi-use facilities, 29 fine dust alert stations will be operated, free indoor air quality measuring devices will be lent to residents, and public awareness of fine dust management will be actively promoted through the website, SNS, and other channels.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, "This winter, fine dust concentrations are expected to be higher due to above-average temperatures and the influence of El Ni?o. We will intensively manage fine dust during the seasonal management period to protect residents' health, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life."