A 10-year Analysis on the Reduction of Particulate Matter at the Green Buffer of the Sihwa Industrial Complex

Green buffer (GB) zones are designed to prevent the spread of air pollutants and odors from industrial complexes (ICs) residential areas (RAs). We analyzed changes in concentration particulate matter (PM) number high PM pollution days for 10 years after GB was implemented, using National Atmospheric Environmental Research Stations 2001–2018 dataset. also performed field measurements PM10 PM2.5 February 2018 January 2019 analyze concentrations at human breathing height throughout GB. Before implementation (2001–2006), RA 9% higher than that IC. After zone (2013–2018), 11% lower Furthermore, (slope = ∆Concentration/∆Time, −2.09) rapidly decreased compared IC −1.02) western coastal area (WCA) −1.55) over 10-year period. At height, were those by 27% 26%, respectively. implementation, wind speed positively correlated but SOx negatively with reduction rate a local scale. These results show there during implying need proper management GBs continuous measure pollutant sources green buffers complexes.