Significant Increase in Nitrogen Oxides in Gyeonggi Region

Air pollutant emissions in the capital region—Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province—have increased, according to a new report.

Compared to 2001, air pollutant emissions for the entire capital region in 2003 showed sulfur oxides down 9%, while nitrogen oxides, fine dust, and volatile organic compounds each increased by 11.9%, 11.0%, and 3.9%, respectively.

The Gyeonggi Research Institute announced the "Capital Region Air Pollution Emissions Inventory" report on the 25th.

The report compared and analyzed emissions data from 2001 and 2003—excluding 2004 and later due to insufficient data from the Ministry of Environment and Gyeonggi Province—for environmental standard substances including sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter 10 micrometers or less (PM10).

Seoul recorded the highest increase in nitrogen oxides at 10.3%, while Incheon saw the largest rise in fine dust (20.2%), and Gyeonggi Province experienced the steepest growth in nitrogen oxides (13.7%) and fine dust (10.4%).

Seoul and Gyeonggi Province primarily emit air pollutants from non-industrial combustion sectors such as residential heating and from vehicles, while Incheon's emissions come mainly from energy industry combustion and non-road mobile pollution sources.

By pollutant type, sulfur oxide emissions primarily stem from household cooking and heating as well as fuel combustion in public facilities, nitrogen oxides and fine dust mainly come from vehicle exhaust, and volatile organic compounds largely result from organic solvent use and vehicle emissions.

The report noted that "beyond regulated emission facilities, a vast array of small and medium-sized facilities remain outside the management scope, and these facilities emit hazardous substances in large quantities while remaining in a regulatory blind spot, contributing to environmental degradation."