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The Seasonal Particulate Matter Management System

What is the Seasonal Particulate Matter (PM) Management System?

The Seasonal PM Management System refers to enforcement of stricter reduction and management policies for PM from December to next March, a period that generally records higher PM concentrations than usual.

Background and Objective

Korea is mostly frequented highly‑concentrated PM from December to next March. Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 are 29 ㎍/㎥ (2017 ‑ 2019). While the mean concentrations of PM2.5 from April to November are 20 ㎍/㎥, the mean concentrations of PM2.5 from December to next March (when the Seasonal PM Management System is underway) are about 45% higher.

In response, the government introduced the Seasonal PM Management System that includes stricter reduction and management policies for PM from December to mitigate the frequency and intensity of higher‑concentrated PM emissions in order to protect public health.

PM Emergency Reduction Measures

Stricter measures during the period of the Seasonal PM Management System consist of continuous monitoring measures and emergency reduction measures at high PM levels.

Stricter measures during the period of the Seasonal PM Management System consist of continuous monitoring measures and emergency reduction measures at high PM levels.
Category Continuous monitoring measures
(The Seasonal PM Management System)
Corresponding measures at high PM levels
(PM Emergency Reduction Measures)
Level 1 (Blue) Level 2 (Yellow) Level 3 (Orange/Red)
Transport
  • Restriction on the operation of 5‑grade vehicles (Seoul metropolitan areas)
  • Alternate no‑driving day system, which applies to administrative and public organizations

    (Seoul metropolitan areas, 6 special and metropolitan cities, to be enforced when COVID‑19 alert was lowered to “Orange” level)

  • Restriction on the operation of 5‑grade vehicles (Nationwide)
  • Alternate no‑driving day system, which applies to administrative and public organizations (Nationwide)

*  Penalties for Non‑compliance

※ Not to be in place under COVID‑19 alert level of “Red”

  • A complete ban on the operation of vehicles that belong to administrative organizations

*  Temporary Commuter Shuttles Available

※ Not available under COVID‑19 alert level of “Red”

  • Alternate no‑driving system in private sectors

    (“Orange” : voluntary/ “Red” : mandatory (under discussion))

    * Expansion of public transportation

  • A complete ban on driving, which applies to administrative and public organizations (their employees to be also banned from driving)

    *  Consideration of the ban in some areas including special and metropolitan cities

    ※ Not to be in place under COVID‑19 alert level of “Red”

  • Restriction on the use of old construction machinery at government‑supplied construction sites with a contract value of KRW 5 billion or more (MOU)
  • Restriction on the use of old construction machinery at private construction sites

    (Voluntary agreement)

  • Suspension of the use of old construction machinery at government‑supplied construction sites

    (Nationwide, all kinds of government‑supplied construction sites)

Energy
  • Suspension of the operation of coal‑fired power generation*

    * To be determined when establishing measures for electric power supply and demand during winter season (expected at the end of November 2021)

  • Capping of electricity generated by coal‑fired power plants in addition to the suspension (in consideration of electric power supply and demand, and electric power system)
  • Capping of electricity generated by all of coal‑ and heavy oil‑fired power plants in operation (in consideration of electric power supply and demand, and electric power system)
Industry
  • Large‑scale places of businesses to voluntarily commit to reducing pollutant emissions
  • Adjustment of the operating ratio of 494 places of business required to comply with emission reduction rules
  • Reduction of the operating hours of public places of business

    (15‑20% reduction of emissions)

  • Additional reduction of the operating hours of public places of business

    (25‑30% reduction of emissions)

  • Additional reduction of the operating hours of public places of business

    (25‑30% reduction of emissions)

  • Consideration of temporarily closing public places of business

    (except for essential places of business)

  • Reduction of fugitive dust at construction sites near residential areas and Expansion of PM concentration data available to the public (Voluntary agreement)
  • Adjustment and change of construction hours of fugitive dust‑emitting construction sites

    (around 35,000 sites nationwide)

  • Restriction on some parts of processes at government‑supplied construction sites
  • Recommendation for private construction to be suspended
  • Suspension of government‑supplied construction
  • Continuous monitoring on illegal emission from places of business

    (with the assistance of state‑of‑the‑art monitoring devices and private inspection teams)

  • Inspection of facilities owned by places of business that emit large amounts of PM (mainly conducted by the Ministry of Environment and local governments and supported by related government agencies)
  • Joint inspection of PM emission from places of business

    (provision of manpower for emission inspection and monitoring)

  • Mobilization of manpower for inspecting PM emissions from places of business
Everyday activities
  • Designation of Air Quality Management Roads and strengthening of road‑cleaning measures (Road cleaning occurring 2 to 4 times per day)
  • Strengthening of road‑cleaning measures (Road washing occurring more than 3 times per day)
  • Use of vehicles that belong to administrative organizations such as fire trucks to help clean roads
  • Mobilization of road‑cleaning·water sprinkler trucks
Public health protection
  • Pre‑emptive inspection of facilities that accommodate the vulnerable
  • Distribution of masks to lower‑income households and outdoor workers
  • Inspection of multi‑purpose facilities and strengthening of emission reduction measures
  • Stricter inspection for compliance with rules that aim to protect the vulnerable
  • An emergency alert text system, Promotion
  • Recommendation for places of business to adopt flexible work practices
  • Making the most of different tools for promoting PM issues to the public (e.g. disaster broadcasting services)
  • Consideration of ordering businesses and institutions to temporarily shut down
  • Distribution of masks to the public

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