Government and Businesses Collaborate to Improve Air Quality in Childcare and Elderly Facilities

The government and businesses are joining forces to improve indoor air quality in facilities used by vulnerable populations, such as childcare centers and nursing homes. Companies will provide ventilation systems and air purifiers at no cost, expanding support for these facilities.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on July 22 that it will sign a memorandum of understanding at Myungin Childcare Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, with 18 sponsoring companies, including Jeongmin, Himpel, and Daesung Giyun, as well as the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, to enhance indoor air quality in childcare centers and nursing homes.

Under this agreement, the sponsoring companies will donate indoor air quality management equipment, including ventilation systems and air purifiers. The donated items will be installed in childcare centers and nursing homes through the ministry's 'Indoor Air Quality Improvement Support Project for Vulnerable Facilities.'

The Korea Environment Corporation will measure indoor air quality in 700 childcare centers and nursing homes, and the Indoor Environment Management Center will provide tailored environmental improvement support using the donated items for facilities that require enhancements.

The government plans to expand the support targets by linking corporate donations with existing national funding, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the initiative. Starting this year, the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation will issue donation receipts to sponsoring companies to encourage private sector participation.

The ministry aims to continue expanding public-private cooperation to ensure that infants, young children, and the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to indoor air quality issues, can live in safer and more comfortable environments.

Jo Hyun-soo, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau at the Ministry of Climate, expressed gratitude to the sponsoring companies for their commitment to social responsibility despite challenging circumstances. He stated, "We will continuously improve indoor air quality in related facilities so that vulnerable populations sensitive to indoor air quality can live in safer and more comfortable environments."