In 2022, the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Jeoung Ae) will strengthen the country's environmental health services and safety net to protect socially vulnerable groups. The ME will improve the indoor air quality of vulnerable households and provide medical treatments against environmental diseases at specialized hospitals.

Experts of environmental health will visit a total of 1,500 low-income households, such as broken families, persons with disabilities, elderly living alone, to measure and diagnose indoor pollutants. They will also advise the residents on how to manage their indoor environment and reduce pollutants.

The ME will also install eco-friendly wallpaper and flooring, as well as fix any water leakage issues and provide air purifiers to households requiring immediate improvement. The ME hopes to assist 400 homes in improving indoor air quality in 2022. Additionally, the ME will install heaters and air conditioners for socially vulnerable groups who can be easily affected by heat and cold waves. Vice-minister Hong Jeong Kee visited the houses of elderly living alone (in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do) on January 25 to check the community outreach program. He also visited the factory site that replaced old wallpapers and flooring with green materials. 

Meanwhile, the ME partially amended the Enforcement Decree of the Environmental Health Act─which provides medical assistance at specialized hospitals for children suffering from environmental diseases─and enforced the Act from July 6 last year. As a result, it expects to offer medical assistance to around 200 children this year. In addition, the ME plans to operate camping programs both online and offline where people can experience the wonder of nature (eco-learning, forest experience, etc.) and consult with medical personnel who specialize in environmental diseases.

Vice-minister Hong said, "We will work hard to provide assistance and support so that socially vulnerable groups can live a healthy and environmentally safe life." He also added, "The ME will strengthen our environmental health outreach programs until there are no more alienated groups in terms of environmental conditions."

Contact: KIM Jin-hyung, Deputy Director

Environmental Health Policy Division, ME

044-201-6754