[Editorial] Joint efforts

It is laudable for South Korea and China’s respective private sectors to take the initiative in coordinating on resolving the fine dust problem. A large part of the fine dust that swept over the Seoul metropolitan area and some major cities over the past two months came from China

Over the weekend, a group of Korean and Chinese business leaders agreed to work together to try to reduce dust in the air.

Ultrafine dust is too small to be seen by the naked eye and is difficult to filter. Trapped in the atmosphere, it can easily enter the human body through the respiratory system and cause health damage, especially to the lungs and blood vessels.

The two parties reached a consensus on mapping out measures to cooperate on reducing dust at their regular meeting in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, according to the Federation of Korean Industries.

It is regrettable that the two countries’ governments have yet to start any bilateral talks to tackle the issue. Nonetheless, it is hopeful that the private sector has embarked on joint action.

Aside from reducing the pollutants in Korea, the two parties could possibly exchange technologies useful for cleaning the air in some Chinese cities. Any performance carried out by the enterprises may accelerate state-led collaboration in the coming years.

The World Health Organization set up air quality guidelines in 1987 to create better awareness. In 2013, the WHO-run institute International Agency for Research on Cancer officially classified fine dust as a carcinogenic substance.

Korea’s policymakers need to take global research seriously, and take prompt action involving joint efforts with neighboring countries.

A recent environmental survey released by Yale University and Columbia University showed that Korea is one of the most polluted countries in the world.

The 2016 Environmental Performance Index places Korea near the bottom of the world in terms of air quality -- No. 173 out of the 180 countries surveyed. Korea scored 45.51 out of 100.

The index evaluates how countries of the world protect ecosystems and human health from environmental harm based on 20 indicators, including air quality, health impact, climate and energy.

Specifically, Korea ranked No. 174 in average exposure to PM2.5 -- ultrafine particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter -- by scoring 33.46. China ranked bottom with a mere 2.26 points.

Korea took the lowest slot, along with Belgium and the Netherlands, in average exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a gas that principally comes from motor vehicle exhausts.

The nation scored zero points in this category, meaning that it has achieved little progress in reducing nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere since 1997, the base year chosen for the biennial survey.