Experts attribute people’s belief that the meteorological phenomenon is getting worse, despite the decline of the annual average density, to the increase of high-density fine dust. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – Opinions are divided over whether the meteorological phenomenon of fine dust that hits the country from winter to spring every year is getting worse or not.
Most people surveyed believe the fine dust problem is deteriorating, but some insist it has improved, citing statistical data.
According to data from the environment ministry, in reality, the national average density of PM 10 — fine dust of 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter — declined from between 51 and 61 micrograms per cubic meter per annum in the years 1998-2006 to 49 in 2014, 48 in 2015, 47 in 2016, 45 in 2017.
That of PM 2.5, referring to particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers — measurement of which began in 2015 — decreased from 26 micrograms per cubic meter to 25 in 2017.
Seoul, South Korea’s capital, showed the same trend.
Annual average PM 10 density was measured at 76 micrograms per cubic meter in 2002, decreasing to 48 in 2016, 44 in 2017 and 40 in 2018. PM 2.5 density dropped from 40 micrograms per cubic meter in 2002 to 26 in 2016, 25 in 2017 and 23 last year.
Experts attribute people’s belief that the meteorological phenomenon is getting worse, despite the decline of the annual average density, to the increase of high-density fine dust.
According to data from the capital city, the number of fine dust warnings rose from one in 2013 to two in 2014, three in 2015 and seven in 2016.
The maximum figure for average density per hour also soared from 192 micrograms per cubic meter in 2014 to 245 in 2015, 373 in 2016 and 423 in 2017.
The number of days when the density of PM 2.5-level fine dust exceeded 50 micrograms per cubic meter increased from 11 in 2015 to 20 in 2017 and 2018.
(Yonhap)
