16 hours Ago By Korea Bizwire
The sky over Seoul, seen from Mount Nam, is thick with fine dust particles on March 10, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, March 11 (Korea Bizwire) — Environmental authorities on Tuesday enforced emergency emission reduction measures in the Seoul metropolitan area for the first time this year in the face of heavy ultrafine dust concentrations. The measures, which include a mandatory alternate no-driving system for public vehicles, a road ban for old diesel cars, and reduced operations of air pollutant-emitting factories and construction sites, will be in effect in the capital area until 9 p.
m., according to the environment ministry. Due to the continued influx of fine dust from abroad, the density of ultrafine dust particles smaller than 2.
5 micrometers in diameter, known as PM 2.5, is forecast to remain at “bad” levels in Seoul and the central regions throughout the day, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The capital area is expected to have high levels of fine dust on Wednesday as well, due to the inflow of additional yellow dust from its source, the KMA said, adding poor air quality may continue for the time being.
The weather authorities categorize concentrations of PM 2.5 particles between 0 and 15 micrograms per cubic meter as “good,” between 16 and 35 as “normal,” between 36 and 75 as “bad,” and more than 76 as “very bad.” (Yonhap).
