Over 2,000 elderly Seoulites may die from air pollution annually by 2030

More than 2,000 elderly people in Seoul could die prematurely each year by 2030 due to the effects of ultrafine dust, research showed, Wednesday. / Korea Times file

By Kim Jae-heun

More than 2,000 elderly people in Seoul could die prematurely each year by 2030 due to the effects of ultrafine dust, research showed, Wednesday.

The policy report by the Seoul Institute estimated 2,133 people over 65 may die earlier than those not exposed to air pollution.

It was based on a hypothesis that the concentration of ultrafine dust in Seoul in 2030 will be similar to that of 2015, when the annual average level was 23 micrograms per square meter, which already exceeded 10 micrograms, the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization.

The study showed the possibility of death among elderly Seoulites increases by 13.9 percent when the annual average level of ultrafine dust rises 10 micrograms per square meter. Especially vulnerable are men and those in the lower income brackets.

The rise in the concentration of ultrafine dust also increased the chance of dying from ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease.

“Senior citizens are comparatively more vulnerable to environmental contamination than younger people. In addition, the negative influence of ultrafine dust on the elderly's health is likely to grow amid the aging society trend,” the report said.

“The Seoul Metropolitan Government needs to prepare measures to protect elderly citizens from ultrafine dust.”