• Seoul Metro intends to reduce pollution 36% below legal limits by 2026 through subway pollution measures
• Improvements to the entire air circulation process for tunnels, platforms and concourses
• Replacement of gravel tunnel roadbeds with concrete and dilapidated equipment
• Implementation of new technologies such as ventilation systems on platforms and pollution absorbing mats in concourses

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced that Seoul Metro has established countermeasures for combating subway air pollution. Beginning this year, ₩100 billion will be dedicated annually to improving air quality. ₩300 billion will be used over three years primarily for customized solutions for addressing sources of pollution in tunnels, platforms and concourses.

The city is taking action to address issues that usually go unseen in its citywide subway system, which is used by a daily average of seven million people. Gravel roadbeds that generate dust and pollution are being replaced with concrete and lower platform areas are being furnished with ventilation systems for the first time in efforts to make substantial improvements in subway air quality.

In addition, pollution absorbing mats will be installed on the floor at turnstiles where countless passengers pass through each day. Passengers will also be able to easily check air quality in subway stations through use of an indoor air quality management information network (inair.or.kr), where information on pollution concentrations on platforms and in lobbies is made publicly available.

Seoul Metro stated that it is concentrating efforts to reduce the current 38.8 μg/m3 average concentration of pollution to below 32 μg/m3 by 2026, constituting concentrations 36% lower than the legal limit of 50 μg/m3.

These measures focus on advancing and improving the entire air circulation process in tunnels, platforms and concourses by encompassing all air quality facilities in subway stations, building on the previously suspended partial system reinforcements.