Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Ranks First in Air Quality Among Seven Major and Metropolitan Cities… Continued Air Quality Improvement Policies Show Tangible Results

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that, according to the 2025 Air Quality Survey, the city ranked first among the seven major and metropolitan cities in terms of the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Since 2020 for ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and since 2022 for particulate matter (PM10), Busan has continuously recorded the lowest annual average concentrations among the seven major and metropolitan cities each year.

In the survey conducted by the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health & Environment (hereinafter referred to as “the Institute”) to protect citizens’ health and monitor changes in air quality, the annual average concentrations of all air pollutants met the ambient air quality standards stipulated in the Framework Act on Environmental Policy. All pollutants except ozone showed a decreasing trend in concentration.

To monitor and improve air quality, the Institute operates 32 air quality monitoring stations across Busan, including 27 urban background stations and 5 roadside stations. In this survey, six pollutants subject to ambient air quality standards were measured: particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

The annual average concentration of particulate matter (PM10) at urban background stations was 26 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), meeting the standard of 50 µg/m3 or less. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) recorded 15 µg/m3, meeting the standard of 15 µg/m3 or less. Ozone recorded 0.0340 ppm (eight-hour standard of 0.06 ppm or less), sulfur dioxide 0.0029 ppm (standard of 0.02 ppm or less), carbon monoxide 0.33 ppm (eight-hour standard of 9 ppm or less), and nitrogen dioxide 0.0125 ppm (standard of 0.03 ppm or less), all within the respective standards.

Over the past ten years, concentrations of fine particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide have decreased, while ozone has shown an increasing trend.

By pollutant characteristics, particulate matter and fine particulate matter were relatively high in industrial areas in the western region. Ozone levels were relatively high in the eastern and southern regions adjacent to coastal and basin areas. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations were relatively high near roadside areas with dense mobile emission sources.

Among the seven major and metropolitan cities, Busan recorded the lowest annual average concentration of fine particulate matter, while ozone levels were at a mid-range level.

These results are interpreted as outcomes of Busan Metropolitan City’s continued implementation of focused management policies tailored to regional characteristics and specific emission sources. These include the seasonal fine dust management system, cooperation for port air quality improvement, reduction projects for road re-suspended dust, expansion of zero-emission vehicles, and establishment of charging infrastructure.

Under the Seasonal Fine Dust Management System (December to March each year), the city implements measures such as restricting the operation of Grade 5 emission vehicles, strengthening inspections by emission source, operating private monitoring groups, and designating intensive management roads for reducing road re-suspended dust.

For port air quality improvement, the city has signed agreements to enhance air quality in port areas, expanded shore power supply facilities (AMP) (November 2025), operated vessel speed reduction programs, and promoted the eco-friendly conversion of cargo handling equipment.

In addition, through the expansion of zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure, including support for electric, hybrid, and hydrogen vehicles, as well as early scrapping of old diesel vehicles and installation of diesel particulate filters, the city has continuously pursued related policies.

Based on these results, Busan Metropolitan City plans to continue discovering and promoting air quality improvement policies to maintain clean air and protect the health of its citizens.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “As Busan maintains the lowest annual average concentration of fine particulate matter among the seven major and metropolitan cities, we will continue striving to preserve clear and clean air quality.” He added, “I ask all citizens to actively participate in air quality improvement policies, including restrictions on the operation of Grade 5 emission vehicles and low-emission measures for old diesel vehicles.”