Daejeon City to Issue Emergency Reduction Measure for High Ultrafine Dust Concentrations Starting 6 a.m. on the 16th

Strengthened Reduction Measures with Public Vehicle Rotation System
Citizens Urged to Limit Outdoor Activities and Wear Masks When Going Out

Photo by Daejeon City

Daejeon City will issue an emergency reduction measure starting from 6:00 a.m. on January 16, as high concentrations of ultrafine dust are expected to persist. As a result, public institutions will be required to implement the public vehicle rotation system for both official vehicles and vehicles belonging to their employees.

This emergency reduction measure is being implemented following the issuance of an ultrafine dust (PM-2.5) advisory after concentrations exceeded 75㎍/㎥ between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on January 15, and as the daily average ultrafine dust concentration is forecast to exceed 50㎍/㎥ on January 16.

This is the first emergency reduction measure in the Daejeon area since April 2023.

It has been analyzed that the current high concentration of fine dust is due to the inflow of foreign fine dust carried by westerly winds, as well as the accumulation of fine dust caused by stagnant atmospheric conditions.

Prior to this, Daejeon City issued a preliminary reduction measure on January 14, and from 6:00 a.m. on January 15, implemented the vehicle rotation system for public institutions such as City Hall, along with shortened operating hours for public facilities and construction sites.

Under the emergency reduction measure, businesses that emit fine dust are required to adjust operating hours, modify operation rates, and improve the efficiency of pollution control facilities. Construction sites must implement measures to control dust, such as adjusting work hours and installing dust covers.

In particular, the city plans to strengthen road water cleaning, especially in downtown areas, to minimize the resuspension of fine dust.

Additionally, public institutions will be required to implement the public vehicle rotation system for both official vehicles and vehicles belonging to their employees. Under this system, on odd (even) dates, only vehicles with license plates ending in odd (even) numbers are permitted to operate.

However, vehicles used by civil petitioners, eco-friendly vehicles (hybrid, electric, hydrogen), vehicles carrying pregnant women, people with disabilities, or infants, as well as police, fire, military, special-purpose vehicles, work vehicles, and long-distance commuter vehicles, are exempt from this regulation.

Jung Jaehyung, head of the Air Environment Division of Daejeon City, visited the Environmental Energy Facility in Sinil-dong, Daedeok-gu to inspect the implementation of the emergency reduction measure. He stated, "We will thoroughly enforce the emergency reduction measure to ensure the protection of citizens' health," and requested active cooperation from citizens, including refraining from going out and wearing masks.