Is the air quality good in Busan?
As of March 24, 2026, at 12:00 AM PT, Busan, South Korea, is experiencing poor air quality with the Air Quality Index (AQI) above 150, placing conditions in the unhealthy range.
These conditions may increase the risk of respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions.
Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Busan's air quality map.
While the air quality today is poor, it’s worth noting that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Busan was 14.8 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 56 (“moderate”), and was 2.96 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Busan, South Korea, ranked among the most polluted major cities as of March 24, 2026, at 12:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Busan, South Korea, as of March 24, 2026, at 12:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Busan?
Hourly forecasts suggest that air quality will improve significantly over the next few hours, potentially dropping into the Moderate range.
Hourly air quality forecast for Busan, South Korea as of March 24, 2026, at 12:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Daily trends suggest that air quality typically remains in the Good to Moderate range, but today it has spiked to Unhealthy levels.
Daily air quality trends in Busan, South Korea, over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Busan?
Several factors contribute to poor air quality in Busan. Urban emissions from vehicle traffic remain one of the largest contributors to particulate pollution in South Korea, followed by industrial activity and power generation sources.
These emissions release nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter that accumulate in the atmosphere. Industrial complexes across the broader metropolitan region produce metals, electronics, and automotive components, which also contribute to local emissions. In addition to domestic sources, transboundary pollution plays an important role.
Studies show that between 30% and 50% of particulate matter pollution in South Korea can originate from neighboring countries and be transported by prevailing winds across East Asia. The combination of urban emissions, industrial activity, and regional transport of pollutants can therefore lead to periodic smog episodes (1).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
