The Gyeonggi-do government will operate an ozone warning system for about 5 months (5/1~9~15) in 8 zones of 23 towns located in the province that are rated high in ozone pollution.

The ozone warning system will help prevent harm to residents residing in these areas when the ozone density in the atmosphere exceeds a base level during the summer season

The system will activate as an attention when the ozone density rises above 0.12 ppm, warning when over 0.3 ppm, and serious warning when the density goes over 0.5 ppm.

Gyeonggi-do has operated the ozone warning system in 7 cities since 1997, and plans to expand the system this year to 8 zones in 23 cities.

The 8 zones include the Suwon zone (Suwon, Pyeongtaek, Osan, Hwaseong), Seongnam zone (Seongnam, Hanam), Anyang zone (Anyang, Gwacheon, Gunpo, Uiwang), Bucheon zone (Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, Siheung, Ansan), Yongin zone (Yongin, Icheon), Goyang (Goyang, Gimpo, Paju), Uijeongbu zone (Uijeongbu, Pocheon), and Namyangju zone (Namyangju, Guri).

Major details are prohibiting engine idling to reduce automobile gas ozone warning system via the Internet transmitting ozone warnings via mobile SMS & apartment broadcasting PR via concurrent reporting system systematic management on heavy nitrogen discharge industries controlling automobile gas discharge in ozone warning regions installing discharge control & prevention facilities in petroleum industries, oil reservoirs, etc. temporary work suspension & changing work time to reduce volatile matter generated from street pavements.

The Ozone Warning Control Center will be organized and operated from Mar. 1 to Sept. 15. Starting Apr. 13, about 30 public officials will receive ozone warning system training. From Apr. 17 to 28, the Gyeonggi-do government and the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment will join in building a ozone warning system network and research on the management actual conditions of atmosphere pollution measurement. Preliminary exercises for checking the warning system will be held at 2PM, Apr. 25.

Meanwhile, the Gyeonggi-do government plans to execute a reduction measurement on the gas exhaustion of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in order to reduce ozone pollution.

To do this, a control plan for 12 power plants and 554 large discharge industries that expose large amounts of nitrogen compounds, and also 1,369 industries discharging volatile organic compound will be devised.

A permanent control team composed of 48 groups with 194 supervisors will also be dispatched to severe ozone warning zones for concentrated control.

Residents who wish to receive ozone warnings via SMS may visit either Gyeonggi Net (www.gg.go.kr) or Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment (www.kihe.re.kr) and subscribe for the service.

An official from the Gyeonggi-do government remarked “To minimize health and living damage caused from yellow sand and the ozone, it is important for all residents to meet the these situation swiftly and accurately when a warning is invoked.” He also added, “Please participate the step-by-step resident movements after checking the warning details through your daily TV or radio stations, weather broadcast, province and city homepages.”