Classification of major air and water pollutants including organic fluorine compounds.
Overview
Types of Pollutants
This covers the types of air pollutants subject to environmental standards set by the Ministry of the Environment (PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, etc.) and organic fluorine compounds (PFAS) that cause water pollution. These pollutants affect human health and ecosystems, and are subject to environmental standards and regulations.
Ministry of the Environment
air pollution
water pollution
PM2.5
ozone
PFAS
environmental standards
| code | slug | name | description | category | standardValue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM25 | pm2-5 | Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) | Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. | Air Quality Standard Substances | Annual average: 15μg/m³ or less, Daily average: 35μg/m³ or less |
| OX | photochemical-oxidants | Photochemical Oxidants (Ozone) | Pollutants generated by photochemical reactions, primarily ozone. | Air Quality Standard Substances | 1-hour value: 0.06ppm or less |
| NO2 | nitrogen-dioxide | Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) | A reddish-brown irritating gas produced by high-temperature combustion. | Air Quality Standard Substances | Daily average of 1-hour values: 0.04-0.06ppm or less |
| SO2 | sulfur-dioxide | Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) | A colorless irritating gas produced by combustion of fossil fuels. | Air Quality Standard Substances | Daily average of 1-hour values: 0.04ppm or less, and 1-hour value: 0.1ppm or less |
| CO | carbon-monoxide | Carbon Monoxide (CO) | A colorless, odorless toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion. | Air Quality Standard Substances | Daily average of 1-hour values: 10ppm or less, and 8-hour average: 20ppm or less |
| SPM | suspended-particulate-matter | Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) | Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. | Air Quality Standard Substances | Daily average of 1-hour values: 0.10mg/m³ or less, and 1-hour value: 0.20mg/m³ or less |
| PFAS | pfas | Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | Forever chemicals with persistence and bioaccumulation properties. | Water Pollutants | Water quality standard: Combined PFOS + PFOA 50ng/L or less (effective April 1, 2026) |
| PFOS | pfos | PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid) | A type of PFAS, with manufacturing and import banned in 2010. | Water Pollutants | Chemical Substances Control Law: Class I Specified Chemical Substance (manufacturing/import principally prohibited) |
| PFOA | pfoa | PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) | A type of PFAS, with manufacturing and import banned in 2021. | Water Pollutants | Chemical Substances Control Law: Class I Specified Chemical Substance (manufacturing/import principally prohibited) |
| PFHxS | pfhxs | PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid) | A type of PFAS, with manufacturing and import banned in 2024. | Water Pollutants | Chemical Substances Control Law: Class I Specified Chemical Substance (manufacturing/import principally prohibited) |