Fine Dust Concentration Decreased by 25% Compared to 2017
Ministry of Environment Secures 10 Billion Won Budget for Eco-friendly Vehicle Charging Facilities
Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang, "Expanding Eco-friendly Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure... Committed to Creating a Clean City"
Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) will implement the 6th Seasonal Fine Dust Management Plan from December, when high concentrations of fine dust occur, until March next year, taking the lead in creating a clean city free of fine dust.
Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Facility Business Agreement Ceremony in Goyang Special City. Provided by Goyang Special City
According to Goyang Special City on the 30th, the city is making efforts to maintain clear and clean air through reducing emissions from diesel vehicles, promoting eco-friendly vehicles, operating street cleaning and water spraying vehicles, expanding urban and pocket forests, and supporting the installation of fine dust prevention windows. The concentration of fine dust (PM-10) in Goyang City decreased by 25%, from 55㎍/㎥ in 2017 to 41㎍/㎥ in 2023, and ultrafine dust (PM-2.5) decreased by 28%, from 28㎍/㎥ to 20㎍/㎥.
The transportation sector accounts for the highest proportion of ultrafine dust emissions in Goyang City at 50%. Diesel vehicles are considered a major source because they emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which cause secondary formation of fine dust. This year, the city supported a total of 1,756 vehicles, including early scrapping of 1,709 old diesel vehicles, installation of emission reduction devices on 10 old diesel vehicles, engine replacement for 6 construction machines, conversion of 16 LPG cargo trucks to new vehicles, and conversion of 15 children's school buses to LPG, achieving an annual fine dust reduction effect of about 19.1 tons.
Next year, the city plans to support a total of 1,857 vehicles, including early scrapping of 1,820 old diesel vehicles rated 4 and 5, installation of emission reduction devices on 9 vehicles, engine replacement for 19 construction machines, electrification of 1 one-ton cargo truck, electrification of 2 diesel forklifts, and purchase support for 6 LPG vehicles for children's school buses.
This year, the city supported the distribution of 2,166 eco-friendly vehicles and installed 2,272 electric vehicle chargers to expand charging infrastructure. In addition, Goyang was selected for the Ministry of Environment's 'Regional Zero-Emission Vehicle Conversion Brand Project,' securing about 10 billion KRW in project funds, achieving budget savings, and is promoting the installation of about 200 rapid chargers at major public facilities within the city, including government offices, Hosu Park, KINTEX, and public parking lots.
Next year, the city plans to support 11,168 eco-friendly vehicles and expand the installation of rapid chargers at major public facilities to build charging infrastructure. By January 27, 2026, multi-family housing and public facilities with parking lots of 50 or more spaces will be required to install chargers equivalent to 2% of the total parking spaces.
Operation of water spraying vehicles to prevent road dust dispersion. Provided by Goyang Special City
This year, the city operated 20 vacuum street cleaning vehicles and 14 high-pressure water spraying vehicles to reduce road dust. These vehicles are usually operated on roads with two or more lanes and their operation is expanded when emergency reduction measures are issued. In summer, they are also operated to mitigate urban heat island effects.
Road dust refers to fine dust generated when dust created by tire and brake wear and exhaust emissions is re-suspended into the air by vehicle movement. It is generally known to be harmful to the human body as it contains more harmful metal components such as cadmium and lead than dust floating in the air.
Since 2022, the city has been expanding green spaces in daily life by creating 9 pocket forests, 13 street forests, and remodeling 24 fine dust reduction parks to reduce fine dust.
This year, projects were carried out including planting street trees at One City and Gyeondalsancheon, creating a child-safe green forest at Modang Elementary School, establishing a school forest at the National Korean Gyeongjin School, creating a small park in Daeja-dong, improving pedestrian paths at Juyup Elementary School, and environmental improvement projects at Tanhyeon Neighborhood Park, Seodumaru and Cherry Blossom Children's Parks, Dalbit Park, and Baekyang Park.
Next year, the city plans to expand fine dust reduction urban and street forests by creating school forests at Jeohyeon High School and Baeksin Elementary School, and carrying out environmental improvement projects at Tanhyeon Neighborhood Park, Todang 1st Neighborhood Park, Dalbit Children's Park, and Muwon Children's Park.
The city supported the installation of fine dust prevention windows at 37 private and home daycare centers. This blocks fine dust coming from outside and ventilates stagnant indoor air so that infants and children vulnerable to fine dust can enjoy a comfortable indoor environment.
In addition, the city supported maintenance of air purifiers at 578 locations including daycare centers and local children's centers, and provided free indoor air quality measurements at 561 locations including elderly facilities, childcare facilities, and facilities for the disabled.
Next year, the city plans to support maintenance of 591 air purifiers, provide free indoor air quality measurements and consulting, create clean breathing spaces, and maintain ventilation systems. It also strengthens inspections of vehicle emissions, air emission workplaces, and dust-generating workplaces to ensure compliance with emission standards.
Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City stated, “We will continuously reduce pollution sources such as old diesel vehicles and road dust, and create a clean city by promoting eco-friendly vehicles and expanding charging infrastructure.”
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