ED Fight against fine dust

Radical measures needed to let people breathe clean air

Over the past week, people have suffered from severe air pollution mainly caused by fine dust. Many of them had to wear protective masks or refrain from outdoor activities. This has forced the government to hurriedly announce “comprehensive” measures to tackle the serious situation.

It is fortunate that the government, although realizing the seriousness of fine dust a bit late, decided to devote all its power to fight it and introduced initial measures featuring, among others, the repeal of the nine-year-old “clean diesel policy” that offered various benefits to owners of about 950,000 low-emission diesel vehicles, including discounts on parking fees and tolls.

The government also revealed that, starting Feb. 15, it will enforce the so-called odd-even system, under which cars will be banned on alternate days depending on whether their plate numbers end in odd or even digits, when fine dust levels are high.

However, it has yet to be determined whether the diesel vehicles were primarily responsible for the production of fine dust. Various factors produce this form of pollution, such as thermal power generation, construction-caused dust and emissions from neighboring China.

The fine dust problem has become worse Sundays than weekdays, despite a considerable reduction of cars running in the streets. This suggests auto emissions may not be the main culprit.

Many people suspect the increasing dependence on fossil fuels for electricity is contributing to fine dust following the government's push to phase out nuclear power generation despite public concern.

Emissions originating from China appear to be a main challenge to be tackled as Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon called for full cooperation with the neighboring country to tackle the air pollution problem in a policy coordination meeting Thursday.

A public survey showed people think air pollution is a more dangerous factor than natural disasters or North Korean nuclear threats. Makeshift measures can never solve the problem. A systematic approach and bolder policies are required to let the people breathe clean air.