[천지일보=홍보영 기자] Due to the spread of fine dust, emergency fine dust reduction measures will be implemented in five cities and provinces, including Seoul, from 6 am on the 21st. This is the first emergency reduction measure in the second half of this year.
Emergency reduction measures for fine dust refer to reducing fine dust in a short period of time when high concentrations of fine dust persist for a long period of time to improve air quality and protect public health by reducing vehicles and reducing business operations.
Accordingly, reduction operations are implemented for coal power plants in these regions, and reduction measures are also implemented at workplaces and construction sites operated by public administrative agencies. However, since this measure is implemented on holidays, the restriction on the operation of vehicles with grade 5 emissions is not enforced.
The Ministry of Environment announced that it would issue an ultrafine dust crisis alert ‘attention’ in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, and North Chungcheong from 6 am to 9 pm on the same day and implement such ’emergency reduction measures’.
The Ministry of Environment explained that this high concentration of fine dust was caused by the accumulation of fine dust from overseas and domestic fine dust from the 19th, accumulating in the air.
In areas where the reduction measures are being implemented, the daily average concentration of ultrafine dust (PM2.5) exceeded 50㎍/㎥ or a warning was issued on the 20th, and the daily average concentration of 50㎍/㎥ is expected to exceed 50㎍/㎥ on the 21st. The criteria for issuing actions were met.
In Incheon and Chungnam, where emergency reduction measures were issued, the total (35 units) of coal power plants will be reduced and operated, including the suspension of operation of 8 coal power plants and the implementation of limiting restrictions on 27 units.
Emergency reduction measures are also implemented at business sites and construction sites operated by private, administrative, and public institutions located in five cities and provinces.
Measures such as changing the operating hours, adjusting the utilization rate, or improving efficiency will be implemented for 285 workplaces that emit large amounts of fine dust in the region.
At construction sites, measures to reduce flying dust such as changing and adjusting construction time, operating a water sprayer, and putting on a dust-proof cover should be taken. However, on holidays, the restriction on the operation of emission class 5 vehicles is not enforced.
The Ministry of Environment and local governments plan to strengthen on-site inspections to ensure that emergency reduction measures are thoroughly implemented.
After holding a joint inspection meeting with related ministries and local governments on the morning of the 21st, Minister of Environment Jeong-ae Han visits the Yangcheon Resource Recovery Facility located in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul to check the implementation of emergency reduction measures.
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