A Study on Air Pollutants Emitted from Yeosu National Industrial Complex Affecting Air Quality in Yeosu, Republic of Korea

In this study, the effects of air pollutants (emissions) emitted from the Yeosu National Industrial Complex (YNIC) on Yeosu’s air quality (concentration) were evaluated through a statistical analysis (linear regression analysis). The air pollutant emission (from YNIC) and concentration (in Yeosu) data for the last 10 years (2011~2020) were used. In case of the air pollutant emissions, a total of 127 species of air pollutants have been emitted from 137 business sites in the YNIC. For the air quality data in Yeosu, common (6 species) and hazardous (9 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 7 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) air pollutant concentrations measured at five monitoring stations (Seogang-dong, Wollae-dong, Munsu-dong, Yeocheon-dong, and Deokchung-dong) were used. The concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀, and PM2.5 in the air in Yeosu recorded significant positive correlations with benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen bromide, which were the air pollutants emitted from the YNIC (R2=0.702±0.129 and p-value=0.009±0.009). The concentrations of the VOCs in the air of Yeosu showed relatively high positive correlations and good statistical significances with the five air pollutant emissions from the YNIC (air pollutants emitted from the YNIC (affected VOCs)=tributylamine (benzene), hydrogen sulfide (benzene), ethylbenzene (1,3-butadiene), vinyl chloride (carbontetrachloride), and sulfur (styrene)) (R²=0.783±0.052 and p-value= 0.004±0.003). In the case of PAHs, the YNIC emissions of formaldehyde, copper, and hydrogen fluoride had high effects on the concentrations of the all target 7 PAHs (R²=0.763±0.140 and p-value=0.014±0.012). As such, it was confirmed through a statistical analysis that the increase in emissions of specific air pollutants emitted from the YNIC increased the concentrations of the air pollutants in the air around Yeosu. These results of this study can be expected to be used as the basic data to efficiently manage the types and emissions of air pollutants from the YNIC. Furthermore, it can be used as basic policy data for improving air quality in the cities where National Industrial Complexes are located.