By Kim Se-jeong
Many worry about high levels of fine dust in the air over Seoul. How about subway trains and stations?
Recent findings by the Korean Federation for Environmental Movements’ (KFEM) Seoul chapter showed alarming levels of fine dust, especially particulate matter (PM) 10, in subway stations and inside trains.
According to the KFEM, the average concentration of PM10 in 278 subway stations, on lines Nos. 1 to 9, was 81.2 micrometers per cubic meter, higher than the 50 micrometers set by the World Health Organization.
Subway travel is popular in the capital, with more than 2 billion passengers per year.
The KEFM analyzed the data from 2016 disclosed by Seoul Metro ― the group is obliged to measure air quality and make a public report every other year.
The average PM10 level inside subway trains ― on lines 5 to 8 ― was even higher at 121 micrometers.
Seoul Metro toned down the figures’ significance, saying they did not yet exceed national standards ― the threshold for subway stations is 150 micrometers, or 200 micrometers inside subway trains.
KFEM activist Han Ja-won pointed out that the national standards are the real issue. “While the numbers met the Korean national standard, they failed to meet the WHO standard. The national regulations are loose.”
Han also insisted Korean law should require Seoul Metro to measure concentrations of PM2.5, which is believed to cause cancer.
“PM2.5 levels aren’t available for subway stations and trains because they are not obliged to be measured by law.”
The analysis also revealed Line 1 had the worst pollution with 95.6 micrometers of PM10 concentration per cubic meter, followed by lines 2, 3 and 4. By stations, Beotigogae and Gongdeok stations on Line 6 had the worst concentrations at 116.2 micrometers each.
Line 5 trains had the worst pollution with 142.2 micrograms, followed by 124.4 on Line 6, 101.7 on Line 7 and 115.6 on Line 8.
Fine dust is a growing threat to public health in Korea. People in Seoul are particularly vulnerable with factories and power plants in the west coast and China upwind.
Public interest in fine dust is high this year, coinciding with bad air quality in spring and the presidential election. When it comes to the source, there are disputes. Many believe China is to blame. This year, a group of Korean citizens sued the Chinese government for compensation. However, scholars argue a big portion is domestically produced, coming from coal-fired power plants, factories and vehicles on the road.