The Characteristics of PM2.5 Pollution and Policy Implications in Chungcheong Region

Abstract

Objectives : This study aims to discuss air quality policy improvement that reflect regional characteristics through analyzing recent PM2.5 concentration, air pollutant emission sources and those contributions to annual PM2.5 concentration in Chungcheong region (Daejeon Metropolitan City, Sejong Metropolitan Autonomous City, the Province of Chungcheongnam-do, and Chungcheongbuk-do) in South Korea. In addition, we identified the characteristics of the PM2.5 pollution at the level of fundamental local government, and demonstrated the number of vulnerable population exposed to high level of PM2.5 concentration in order to propose policy implications in Chungcheong region.Methods : Based on the national emissions estimates (CAPSS: Clean Air Policy Support System) and air quality modelling system, major sectors/sources of air pollutants emission and national contributions of PM2.5 concentrations in Chungcheong region were analyzed. Furthermore, the study identified the number of people exposed to the higher PM2.5 concentrations (>25 µg/m3) by the measurement data and demographics available in 2019.Results and Discussion : The national air pollutants emissions in Chungcheong region were emitted from Chungnam (about 59% of NOx emission volume, 89% of SOx, 70% of NH3, 54% of VOCs, 79% of PM2.5, and 68% of TSP respectively), mainly from industry, domestic, energy, and road sector. According to the results of the air quality modelling, Chungcheong region also had the largest contribution on the average annual PM2.5 concentration in South Korea (27%). Chungnam emitted the largest emission volume of air pollutants, mainly from industry and power generation sectors (especially in Dangjin, Seosan, and Boryeong), while Asan, Yesan, Hongseong, and Cheongyang were classified as the areas with higher PM2.5 concentrations (>25 µg/m3), showing a gap between the areas with large emission volume and high concentration. Chungbuk and Sejong had higher annual PM2.5 concentration due to the influence of external sources and their geographical characteristics. The largest vulnerable population (over 65 years old and under 18 years old) exposed to high PM2.5 concentrations annually lived in Cheongju. Chungbuk had about 40% more air pollutant emission volume than Chungnam, but about 17% more vulnerable population.Conclusions : At the current stage of “master plan” in Chungcheong region, it is important to mitigate air pollutants emissions on the basis of the local emissions characteristic at the level of fundamental local government (such as industry sector in Dangjin, Seosan, and Danyang/ Domestic buring in Cheongju, Cheonan, and Daejeon/power generation in Boryeong, Taean and Dangjin/ road in Daejeon, Cheongju, and Cheoan). In addition, Chungbuk requires management of the areas with higher PM2.5 concentration such as Goesan, Boeun, Okcheon, and Yeongdong located outside “air control zone”. To reduce high level of PM2.5 concentration in Chungcheong region, cooperation with neighboring local governments such as Gyeonggi Province is crucial, and policy solutions are needed between the stakeholders to resolve the disparity issues between areas with larger emission volume and higher PM2.5 concentration.