According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education on Saturday, an IoT-based air quality control system that will help keep the air inside classrooms clean and safe for students will be trialed at 20 local schools. (Image: Busan Education Office)
BUSAN, Mar. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — A number of schools in Busan are turning to IoT (Internet of Things) technology to protect students from fine dust.
According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education on Saturday, an IoT-based air quality control system that will help keep the air inside classrooms clean and safe for students will be trialed at 20 local schools.
The new initiative is part of a collaboration between the education office and telecom service provider KT, as the two signed a business agreement last year to introduce an air quality improvement system.
Under the new program, special air quality meters will be set up in school playgrounds to collect fine dust data in real time and send it to a control center, where the data will be analyzed and used to control air purifiers inside the schools.
High-risk schools located near main thoroughfares, construction sites, thermal power plants and industrial complexes will be chosen as the venues for the trial project.
The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education is paying 2.5 million won to each of the 20 schools to cover part of the expenses for installing air purifiers.
Long-term exposure to fine dust is linked to an increased risk of suicide, according to a study conducted by researchers at Seoul National University including Min Kyoung-bok from the Department of Preventive Medicine
Fine dust is at the top of South Korea’s environment agenda. Last year, environment authorities unveiled plans to reduce fine dust levels by more than 30 percent by 2022.
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
