Air quality in Gunsan

What is the current level of air pollution in Gunsan city?

Gunsan is a city in the North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is on the south bank of the Geum River just upstream from its exit into the Yellow Sea. According to a census conducted in 2015, Gunsan had an estimated population of approximately 2.7 million inhabitants.

In the last quarter of 2021, the city was going through a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 59. This reading is often used as a reference point when comparing air quality in other cities around the world. Data is collected with regards to the six most prolific air pollutants commonly found and this figure is calculated from there. If information is not available for all six, then a figure can be deduced using the information that is available. For Gunsan city, all six pollutants were measured which were; PM2.5 - 16 µg/m³, PM10 - 31 µg/m³, ozone (O₃) - 108 µg/m³, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 16.9 µg/m³, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) - 9.2 µg/m³ and carbon monoxide (CO) - 343.5 µg/m³.

The level of PM2.5 can be seen to be over one and a half times higher than the suggested level of 10 µg/m³. This level has been determined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being an acceptable level of air pollution, although no level is to be considered as being safe.

When the air quality is classified as being “Moderate” the given advice is to remain indoors as much as possible and close all doors and windows to prevent more polluted air from entering. Those who are more sensitive to poorer air quality should try to avoid venturing outside until the air improves. If this is unavoidable, then a good quality mask should be worn at all times. All groups are dissuaded from partaking in vigorous outdoor exercise.

There is a mobile app available from AirVisual.com for most mobile devices which gives information regarding air quality in real-time. This information will assist in your decision as to whether or not to go outside.

Does the level of air pollution change much throughout the year in Gunsan?

Air quality can change very quickly because many things can affect it. Looking back at the figures for 2020 released by IQAir.com, it can be seen that for all twelve months, Gunsan experienced “Moderate” air quality with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. The month with the best quality air was September with a 14.1 µg/m³ reading. The worst was January with a 27.5 µg/m³ figure.

Records for air quality were first kept in 2017 when a figure of 24.9 µg/m³ was recorded. The following year recorded a deterioration to 25.6 µg/m³ and another for the following year which was 27.0 µg/m³. However, in 2020 an improvement was noticed with a recorded figure of 20.3 µg/m³ but this figure may not be a true reflection of reality because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many motorists were no longer required to commute to their offices each day in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. There were also some factories and similar production units which were told to close on a temporary basis. Many cities throughout the world noted how much cleaner their city air was because of these measures.

Where does the polluted air originate from in Gunsan?

There were frequent complaints about dust blown from Naji near the Saemangeum project area on the west coast of North Jeolla Province. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the Saemangeum reclamation project that the mudflats were exposed and dried up, and dust was generated as the wind blows the soil. When the concentration of heavy metals in the atmosphere was analysed, no particular component was identified that seemed to be highly related to the dust from Saemangeum.

It was found that the generation of dust blowing at construction sites can be reduced by more than 80% by paving the unpaved roads within the Saemangeum business site, expanding the operation of spraying vehicles, and stopping work when the average wind speed is 5 m/s or more. In addition, planting additional plants or spraying scattering dust inhibitors may be helpful.

How can the air quality be improved in Gunsan?

The city of Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do implements a support project to reduce fine dust and air pollutants.

The city started to support fine dust and air pollution reduction projects such as the 'Children's school vehicle to LPG vehicle conversion support project' and the 'Diesel vehicle smoke reduction device attachment project'. First, if diesel vehicles with 15 seats or less are scrapped among children's school vehicles at day-care centres, kindergartens, and sports facilities, and a new LPG vehicle is purchased for the same purpose, 5 million won per vehicle will be provided. In addition, 50 units of old diesel vehicles equipped with a smoke reduction device, 30 with a PM-NOx simultaneous reduction device, and 20 with a smoke reduction device for construction equipment and engine replacement are planned to support 130 units this year, with about 1.2 billion won.

What are the effects of air pollution on health?

Most people know that air pollution causes lung problems, but exposure to smog has also been linked to many other diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes, dementias., kidney disease and diabetes, as well as having harmful effects in pregnancy.

Air pollution is linked to premature deaths, most of which are due to cardiovascular disease. Fine particles can damage the cardiovascular system in many ways, causing inflammation, promoting blood clotting, narrowing the arteries, putting the heart under stress.

Research shows that the smallest nanoparticles (about the size of those found in diesel engine exhausts) can be inhaled and then passed from the lungs into the blood. After that, they can be transported throughout the body, and accumulate in different organs. If this happens in the blood vessels and heart, it can encourage the development of disease and even cause acute events.

There are indications that fine particulate matter from burning fossil fuels (diesel and gasoline engines, residential stoves that burn coal or wood) is more harmful than other particles, but so far, we treat all particulates equally in effects studies.