Busan has recorded the lowest annual levels of fine and ultrafine dust among Korea’s seven major metropolitan cities, according to the city’s 2025 Air Quality Survey released by the Busan Institute of Health and Environment.

The survey found that Busan ranked first among the seven cities for annual average concentrations of both fine dust (PM10) and ultrafine dust (PM2.5). Ultrafine dust levels have remained the lowest nationwide since 2020, while fine dust levels have ranked lowest since 2022.

Busan is also the only city among the seven to meet the national annual PM2.5 standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter four times in recent years.

All monitored air pollutants met national annual air quality standards under the Framework Act on Environmental Policy.

Except for ozone, concentrations of major pollutants showed a downward trend over the past decade.

Average urban air readings included PM10 at 26 μg/m³, PM2.5 at 15 μg/m³, nitrogen dioxide at 0.0125 ppm, and sulfur dioxide at 0.0029 ppm, all well within legal limits.

Higher particulate levels were observed in western industrial areas, while nitrogen dioxide was more concentrated near major roads, and ozone levels were relatively higher in coastal districts.

City officials attributed the results to continued policy measures such as seasonal fine dust controls, port-area air quality programs, road dust reduction projects, and expanded use of zero-emission vehicles.

Busan plans to maintain and strengthen these measures to protect public health and sustain air quality improvements.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu