Busan registers worst dust pollution in South Korea
Sinseondae container terminal and Gamman terminal in Busan. / Korea Times file
By Ko Dong-hwan
The port city of Busan in southern South Korea had the worst level of particulate matter-induced air pollution last year.
The city recorded an average of 26 micrograms per cubic meters of PM2.5 (particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter) throughout 2017. This was the highest concentration in the nation during the period. Seoul, Incheon and Ulsan recorded 25, Gwangju 24, Daegu 23 and Daejeon 21.
The main cause of Busan's air pollution was sulfur oxides in emissions from ships and shipyard facilities, according to the city office Sunday. The pollutants are commonly generated when fuel in ships or boilers is incompletely combusted.
Other causes included nitrogen oxide. Polluted air above greater Seoul contained more nitrogen oxide than sulfur oxide because of heavy vehicle traffic.
Another contributor to Busan's pollution was an industrial complex in the western area. Among the city's four sections, the factory zone recorded the highest level of 27 micrograms per cubic meter. Other zones' levels ranged from 23 to 26.
Busan's air pollution peaked during summer when ocean-bound gales from southwest blew hardest. This also was in contrast to Seoul and its surroundings, where pollution was worst in winter, because of wind from northwest, and in spring, when wind carrying sand from eastern China blows strongly toward the Korean Peninsula.
The city office has introduced measures to curb the pollution. Freight trucks and other commercial vehicles around the shipyards and industrial complex will be monitored more closely for their exhaust emissions. The annual city budget of 10 billion won ($9.3 million) for tree planting will be tripled to plant trees in unused spaces around roads, in factory zones and around railway stations and public offices.
The city office plans to plant 10 million trees in the city in next five years.