[The Hwankyung Ilbo] The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it will provide 1,800 air purifiers to 794 childcare facilities nationwide within the first half of this year as part of the government's measures to tackle fine dust.

The aim of this measure is to protect children who are vulnerable to respiratory diseases by supporting a total budget of 900 million won.

According to a local government's survey in March, the number of air purifiers at 794 childcare facilities were 816 and 1,800 additional air purifiers are needed.

One air purifier will be provided for every 7 children in the facility, and facilities with 7 or more people will be provided in proportion to the number of children. And a maximum of 15 air cleaners will be provided for facilities with 100 children.

“With the aid of the air purifier, 15,000 children at childcare facilities are expected to be able to live with cleaner air,” said an official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. “We will also strengthen education for children in childcare facilities so that they can understand fine dust correctly and respond to it on their own.”

조수빈 리포터  press@hkbs.co.kr

<저작권자 © 환경일보, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>