Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and comprise various components with different chemical characteristics. In addition to the toxic effects of some VOCs, considering atmospheric environmental problems in EANET Participating Countries, VOCs play important roles as precursors of ozone and secondary PM2.5.
To tackle severe air pollution problems, it is essential to understand the status of VOCs’ emissions and consider effective mitigation measures. Emission inventories are essential to obtain such information and help to make appropriate atmospheric environmental policies. However, VOCs’ emissions are from varieties of sources especially evaporative sources such as solvent use, extraction processes of fossil fuels, and evaporative emissions from gasoline vehicles, and thus, a lot of data and information is necessary to estimate emissions of VOCs. Furthermore, in addition to anthropogenic emissions, biogenic sources are important for VOCs’ emissions. Therefore, the framework for the national emission inventory of VOCs is different from other sources.
The Webinar Workshop for Emission Inventory of VOCs and its Application for Policy Consideration will take place on Wednesday 4 December 2024, from 12:30 to 16:35 (UTC+7), via Zoom. The event is organized by the Asian Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET and with the support of the EANET Project Fund.
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2. Objectives
The objectives of the Emission Inventory Webinar Workshop are to learn basic methodologies to estimate emissions of VOCs from stationary sources and road transport, especially for evaporative sources as well as from biogenic sources. In addition, the roles of emission inventory in atmospheric environmental management, air quality modeling of VOCs, and control measures of VOCs are introduced as applications of emission inventories for policy consideration.
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3. Expected Participants
Policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments related to air pollution issues in the Participating Countries of EANET and other countries in Asia.
Air quality administrations usually use conventional reference monitors. However, low- and middle-income countries cannot fully use these in their air quality monitoring networks due to the limitation of resources. Less expensive and smaller monitoring devices, so-called Low-Cost Sensors (LCS), are capable of filling the gaps in existing air quality monitoring networks, and the data measured by LCS may provide information for policy-relevant air quality measures.
In most areas in the Asian region, air quality monitoring capacities of the national and local governments are still limited and need to be developed to improve their air quality to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Considering emerging sub-regional-scale and serious seasonal air pollution events, such as Ozone and PM2.5 pollution, building a network of reliable and internationally comparable air quality data becomes more important. Thus, practitioners must consider how they can wisely select and use reliable LCS with a network of reference-level monitors in an integrated manner for enhanced air quality monitoring.
The EANET has been supporting the development of air quality monitoring networks in the East Asia region in partnership with its 13 Participating Countries’ governments and scientists, assisting them to develop local capacity of scientific and internationally comparable air quality monitoring. The EANET has expanded its scope to wider air pollution issues in 2021, and the wise use of reliable LCS is one of the EANET’s interests aiming at developing its monitoring capacities. The EANET project titled “Methodology Study for Development of LCS Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN)” has been implemented since 2022, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and the EANET Project Fund.
Besides the above-mentioned EANET project, there are other projects implementing air quality monitoring using LCS networks of urban and regional scales in East Asia. These networks are collecting the data via the Internet and some projects demonstrate real-time data. These preceded projects show how LCS technology and citizen participation can contribute to monitoring and improving air quality. They also show how data transparency and open access are important to increase public awareness of air pollution issues.
The Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low-Cost Sensors for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies will take place on Wednesday 6 November 2024, from 13:00 to 16:45 (UTC+7), via Zoom. The event is organized by the Asian Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET.
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2. Objectives
To share information on technical requirements, data management, and visualization, citizen participation, policy involvement, and business models by preceded projects on LCS monitoring networks in the Asian region
To discuss scopes and challenges for establishing a sustainable LCS monitoring network in East Asia and for sharing LCS data and scientific findings to strengthen efforts to improve the regional air quality in East Asia.
To consider recommendations on future directions of LCS monitoring in EANET
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3. Expected Participants
Policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments related to air pollution issues in the Participating Countries of EANET and other countries in Asia.
In October 2024, ACAP, serving as the Network Center (NC) for the EANET successfully concluded both the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Project’s Annual Meeting and Training at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), Japan. The NC for the EANET is implementing the Project Capacity Building in Promoting VOCs in the EANET, approved by the Twenty-fifth Intergovernmental Meeting (IG25) in 2023, with the financial support of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ).
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EANET VOC Annual Meeting Reviews Progress and Discusses Plans for 2025
The VOCs Annual Meeting took place at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), in Saitama, Japan, on October 22nd and 23rd 2024 and gathered the VOCs Advisory Group members as well as members from the Participating Countries including Cambodia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam, responsible for overseeing this project. The goal of the meeting was to review the progress to date and develop a detailed plan for 2025 focusing mainly on monitoring methods, sites, and timing.
The Annual Meeting was conducted both in-person at CESS and online. Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Mitsuo Uematsu, President of CESS, and Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), moderated by Dr. Meihua Zhu, Chief Senior Researcher of the Planning and Training Department of ACAP. Each Participating Country shared their project progress in 2024 and their monitoring and related capacity building plan. During the meeting, Dr. Soo Ran Won, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, gave a special talk entitled: a Research Introduction on the “First measurement report for Volatile Organic Compounds’ characteristics during winter in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia”. During the Annual Meeting, participants reviewed the progress of the project’s activities in 2024 and discussed the activity plan for 2025.
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Participants at the Annual VOCs Meeting and during the field visit to GL Sciences
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On the second day, on October 23rd, a site survey of an VOCs’ instrument manufacturer was conducted at GL Sciences, Saitama prefecture, Japan. The site survey included an introduction to GL Sciences and to their support system, air analysis instruments, and related products. It also consisted of a laboratory tour and presentation of various equipments’ usage such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with canister concentrator, GC-MS with thermal desorption, sampling and related tools, and air sampler for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
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Highlights of the Training – VOCs Monitoring and Measurement
The Training Program for VOCs Monitoring and Measurement was held at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), Japan, from October 21st to 25th 2024. To conduct the training in a cost- and time-efficient manner, online lectures were provided to the trainees prior to the hands-on training in Japan. The proposed curriculum for online training consisted of three parts: a background introduction to VOCs, an introduction to VOCs’ monitoring methodologies, and an introduction to case studies on VOCs’ monitoring. Five participants from Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam, in charge of VOCs monitoring and lab work and part of EANET VOCs project, participated to the training. The VOCs Advisory Group members, CESS, and the NC actively provided support.
On the first two days, Mr. Kouki Sasaka, Group Reader, Atmospheric Environment Group, CESS, and Dr. Yujiro Ichikawa, Researcher, Atmospheric Environment Group, CESS, provided lectures on canister and flow controller including on canister cleaning, flow controller cleaning and flow adjustment, canister sampling, dilutor, preparation of standard gas, pre-concentrator and GC/MS. From October 24 to the afternoon of the 25th, a representative from Nishikawa Keisoku Co., Ltd. presented a lecture on standard and sample measurement (Preconcentrator-GC/MS), data analysis, and the daily maintenance of GC/MS. In the afternoon of October 25, a lecture on air sampling pumps, sorbent tubes (both active and passive), and Low-Cost Sensors was shared by a representative of Sibata Scientific Technology Ltd. During the closing session, Dr. Akio Imai, Research Director at the CESS presented the completion certificate to the trainees on behalf of the program organizers.
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VOCs trainees from Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, and with their completion certificates
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The successful conclusion of the VOCs Project’s Annual Meeting and Training in 2024 strengthens EANET countries’ capacity to monitor and manage VOC emissions. Through collaboration, hands-on training, and advanced monitoring technologies, the initiative sets a solid foundation for improving air quality monitoring in the region.
Prof. Fan Meng, Deputy Director General, of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, ACAP (the Network Center for the EANET), delivered the Opening Remarks. He highlighted the need for integrated approaches to address shared challenges, particularly in cooperation between EANET and the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).
Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET delivered the Welcome Remarks. He emphasized the importance of understanding pollution sources, meteorological influences, and the need for collaborative efforts among scientists, government officials, and intergovernmental bodies like ASEAN to mitigate this problem.
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Effects of Particulate Matter (PM) in the Atmospheric Environment in East Asia
Mr. Wiraditma Prananta, from the Environment Division at the ASEAN Secretariathighlighted ASEAN’s commitment to addressing transboundary haze pollution through the Second ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap 2023–2030. He outlined the historical impacts of haze pollution, ASEAN’s adoption of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), and the development of successive haze-free roadmaps, with the current one aiming to eliminate haze by 2030 through strategies such as sustainable land management and enhanced monitoring. The roadmap emphasizes regional and subregional activities, sustainable peatland management, and a haze knowledge portal while addressing challenges such as resource mobilization and root causes of fires. Mr. Wiraditma Prananta concluded with a call for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve a haze-free region and improve environmental and air quality standards by 2030.
Mr. Zhong-Yi Chia, from the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC)explained the small haze dispersion modeling efforts at ASMC, focusing on the integration of fire hotspot emissions, weather forecasts, and observational data to predict haze spread. He highlighted the challenges of modeling in the tropical region, such as thick cloud cover, transient weather phenomena, and limited ground observation coverage, while detailing the use of tools such as the United Kingdom’s Met Office’s Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME) model and wildfire emission estimations based on fire radiative power and land cover maps.
Dr. Eric Zusman, from the Integrated Sustainability Centre, Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) focused on addressing haze pollution in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the need for multi-level and multi-stakeholder solutions, particularly through the implementation of a roadmap running from 2023 to 2030. The roadmap includes nine strategies targeting PM2.5 pollution and haze episodes, aligning with the World Health Organization’s air pollution standards and promoting evidence-based, integrated approaches tied to climate, biodiversity, and development goals. Key challenges to implementing solutions, such as open burning restrictions, stem from social, institutional, economic, and technological barriers. He advocated for enabling environments, awareness programs, and innovative governance models to overcome these barriers, leveraging both cooperative and competitive frameworks for scaling effective solutions.
Panelists from the EANET Online Seminar on Particulate Matter and Haze in Southeast Asia
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Overview of the Scientific Knowledge on PM Pollution in Other Regions
Dr. Jan Eiof Jonson from the Meteorological Synthesizing Centre-West of EMEP(MSC-W of EMEP), Norwegian Meteorological Institute, focused on the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution under United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), addressing environmental challenges such as acid deposition, air pollution, and wildfire impacts. He highlighted the establishment of monitoring centers across Europe and North America to track emissions, pollutants such as PM 2.5, and their transboundary effects. Pollution reduction trends, driven by legislation, are noted, though discrepancies in reporting and uncertainties remain. Satellite data and emission datasets including the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) and FINN v2.5 are utilized for monitoring wildfire emissions and assessing their effects on air quality and climate. Key challenges include differences in emission estimates, injection heights, fire radiative power, and regional variability. He stressed the need for global collaboration and further refinement in modeling to support effective policy development, particularly in Europe.
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Closing Session
Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks. He emphasized the importance and common challenge for all countries in Southeast Asia to gain a better understanding of the status of PM health pollution and to explore the best solutions to reduce it. He concluded by expressing hope that this workshop would be a good opportunity to strengthen collaboration between EANET and the ASEAN.
A regional orientation session for the Regional Capacity Building Programme on Air Pollution Emissions Inventory kicked off on 8 July 2025, drawing environmental professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss emission inventories, data systems, and regional collaboration. The session marks the launch of a multi-phase capacity-building regional programme aimed at strengthening national air quality management and is jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in partnership with EANET.
UNEP, with support from the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea and in partnership with AIT, is leading this initiative. The programme offers a structured curriculum combining theoretical learning, case studies, practical assignments, group work, interactive sessions, field-based exercises, and site visits. Training will take place from June to September 2025, including online sessions in July and an in-person component at the AIT campus in Bangkok, Thailand, in September. More details on the curriculum and selection criteria are available in the programme’s Concept Note.
This regional programme is generously supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea as part of EANET Project Activity 2025-06, titled “Development of methodology and guidelines for national emission inventory and capacity building program for Southeast Asia.” This activity, approved at the Twenty-Sixth Session of the EANET Intergovernmental Meeting (IG26), contributes significantly to EANET’s regional collaboration and technical capacity-building efforts.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Shin Bong-Ju, Deputy Director of the Air Quality Division at the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the importance of emission inventories as the foundation for effective air quality management. She shared the vision behind the programme and encouraged stronger cooperation across borders to combat air pollution.
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Programme Structure and Curriculum
The session featured a detailed overview of the training programme, presented by Ms. Kaye Patdu, Programme Management Officer – APCAP at UNEP, and Interim Coordinator for EANET Secretariat, and Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Associate Professor at AIT. The programme consists of three phases:
Orientation Session (completed on 8 July 2025)
Online Training Workshops on 17, 24, and 31 July 2025
In-Person Workshop from 9–12 September 2025 at AIT in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
The curriculum includes six modules, beginning with an introduction to emissions inventory, followed by data collection and management. It then covers sectoral emission estimation, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and the use of tools for inventory development. The final module focuses on reporting and the application of emission inventories in policymaking.
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Engaged and Diverse Participation
The orientation session welcomed 30 participants from across the Asia-Pacific region, including representatives from: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
Participants—many of whom are actively engaged in EANET activities—shared their backgrounds, goals, and expectations. They expressed a strong interest in learning new tools and methodologies to support evidence-based policymaking and improve national emission inventory systems.
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Screenshot from some participants at the orientation session on 8 July 2025.
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Closing and Next Steps
Ms. Ji Hyun Lee, Senior Programme Management Officer at UNEP, delivered the closing remarks. She encouraged participants to stay actively engaged and reiterated the importance of sustained regional collaboration. She also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea for their generous support.
This training series directly supports EANET’s core mission to enhance cooperation, harmonize air quality data, and build capacity among Participating Countries to address atmospheric deposition and related air pollution challenges.
The EANET Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Project Annual Meeting 2025 was successfully held from 15 to 17 October 2025 at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. The meeting brought together 25 participants from Cambodia, China, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and the United States, participating both in person and online. The event was organized by the Network Center for the EANET in collaboration with the Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment (KOSAE).
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EANET VOCs Annual Meeting: Reviewing Progress and Future Plans
The EANET VOCs Annual Meeting, held from 15 to 16 October, provided a platform for reviewing project implementation, promoting EANET’s VOC initiatives, and exchanging scientific knowledge on emerging trends in VOC emissions. Opening remarks by Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), and Prof. Gang-Woong Lee of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies highlighted the urgent need to strengthen VOC monitoring across East Asia to support regional air quality management.
Representatives from Mongolia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Viet Nam presented progress achieved in 2025 and outlined their implementation plans for 2026, as part of the EANET Project Capacity Building in Promoting VOCs in the EANET. Participants also discussed next steps for the project. In addition, the EANET Network Center introduced the outline of a technical training guidance for VOC monitoring, noting that a drafting committee has been established and a preparation schedule agreed.
VOC annual meeting group photo
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KOSAE–ACAP Joint International Symposia
On 15 October, the KOSAE–ACAP Joint International Symposia I and II featured expert presentations on VOC monitoring, source apportionment, and management strategies in East Asia and beyond. Speakers shared recent findings from field campaigns, laboratory studies, and policy-oriented research, highlighting advances in measurement techniques and the role of VOCs in ozone and PM₂.₅ formation.
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Plenary Session at the KOSAE Conference
The KOSAE Conference Plenary Session on 16 October offered a broader perspective on VOC emissions and air quality challenges. Presentations addressed trends and future projections of anthropogenic VOC emissions in East Asia, difficulties in achieving ozone standards, and recent progress and remaining challenges in national air quality improvement efforts.
KOSAE Conference Plenary Session
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EANET VOC Seminars: Advancing Technical Knowledge
EANET VOC Seminars 1 and 2, held from 16 to 17 October, focused on advanced monitoring techniques, emission inventories, modeling approaches, and environmental impacts of VOCs, including secondary organic aerosol formation. The seminars also highlighted ongoing and new international collaborative research initiatives.
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Closing Remarks
In closing, Dr. Meng Fan, Deputy Director-General of ACAP and the EANET Network Center, expressed sincere appreciation to KOSAE for its strong cooperation in co-organizing the meeting and thanked participating countries, experts, and partner institutions for their continued engagement. He reaffirmed EANET’s commitment to strengthening regional collaboration on VOC monitoring and research to improve air quality across East Asia.
Photo credits: cover photo, “a group of people standing on top of a grass covered field” by Daniel Bernard (2021); all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.
September–October 2025, Republic of Korea and Japan
Four government officials and researchers from China, the Philippines, Russia, and Thailand completed an intensive, capacity-building program on acid deposition and air quality management. Co-organized by EANET and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea, the Technical and Training (TNT) and Capacity Building Program aimed to strengthen technical expertise among the EANET Participating Countries.
“The part I found most engaging was learning how NIER and NAIR integrate satellite monitoring, emission inventories, and national policies to reduce PM concentrations. I found it interesting to see how advanced technology is practically applied to support evidence-based policymaking.”
— A comment from a trainee
Participants in the Republic of Korea
At SNU, trainees received instruction in air filter sampling and analysis techniques. During their visit to the Jeju Center, they learned about the history and role of the center, the air quality monitoring network, data management, equipment, and emission inventory. At UNIST, the focus shifted to research on air quality monitoring and satellite-ground validation studies. At NAIR, trainees learned how air emissions data from various sources is compiled to support environmental policy and compliance. Finally, at ESC, they gained insight into how GEMS satellite data enhances real-time and regional air quality monitoring, as well as data integration techniques that combine emissions, satellite observations, and modeling.
“I was particularly interested in the advanced monitoring of both particulate and gaseous pollutants. Understanding how these measurements can be applied to identify pollution sources and track air quality trends made this part of the training very relevant and engaging.”
— A comment from a trainee
“I didn’tknow about GEMS and Pandora before. The visit helped me to learn about GEMS and Pandora – satellite systems used for air quality observation. This helped me understand how satellite data can support ground monitoring.”
— A comment from a trainee
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Immersive Training in Japan
From October 6 to 10, 2025, the training continued in Japan.
At the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), participants engaged in various studies covering topics such as Atmospheric Deposition, Filter Pack and Wet Deposition Monitoring, and Ion Chromatography (IC). They attended lectures on atmospheric deposition, conducted EC and pH measurements for wet samples, and maintained equipment including rain samplers, PM2.5 analyzers, and ozone calibrator. Additionally, they performed IC measurements for both wet and dry samples and carried out data checks for reference and low-cost sensors.
“I found it most interesting to learn about EANET and ACAP’s role in coordinating air quality monitoring across participating countries. The training highlighted how the network enables countries to share data, standardize methods, and collaborate on addressing transboundary air pollution. It was interesting to see how regional cooperation strengthens scientific capacity and policy making in each member country.”
— A comment from a trainee
“I was particularly interested in the session on Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) monitoring, as it was impressive to learn how LCS technology can complement conventional monitoring stations by expanding spatial coverage and providing more localized air quality data. Additionally, the short lecture on automatic monitor maintenance for PM2.5 was highly insightful—it emphasized the importance of proper calibration, routine checks, and maintenance to ensure data accuracy and instrument reliability, which are vital for continuous and dependable air quality monitoring across participating countries.”
— A comment from a trainee
Participants in Japan
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Sharing Knowledge Across the Region
Feedback after the training indicated that all participants found the program in both the Republic of Korea and Japan to be extremely valuable. It is anticipated that the knowledge and experiences gained will be shared with colleagues through seminars, lectures, or study meetings in their home countries. This sharing is expected to contribute to the development of skills in air quality management throughout the EANET region.
“I plan to utilize the knowledge and skills I gained from the NIER and ACAP trainings by applying them directly to my work in the operation and maintenance of PM2.5 and wet deposition samplers, as well as in Ion Chromatography (IC) and mass concentration analysis (if possible). The training enhanced my understanding of data quality assurance, calibration, sensor comparison, and the integration of satellite and ground-based data. I intend to apply these learnings in improving the accuracy and reliability of our air quality monitoring activities, particularly in our EANET monitoring sites, and to share this knowledge with colleagues through technical discussions and capacity-building initiatives within our laboratory.”
— A comment from a trainee
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Supporting Regional Cooperation
The 2025 TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program was approved as a Project Activity at the Twenty-sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET in November 2024. It was co-funded by the EANET Project Fund and the Republic of Korea, representing a continued commitment to regional cooperation in environmental protection.
Four government officials and researchers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Mongolia completed an intensive, capacity-building program on acid deposition and air quality management. Co-organized by EANET and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea, the Technical and Training (TNT) program aimed to strengthen technical expertise among EANET Participating Countries.
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Immersive Training in Japan
The first part of the program began in Japan from April 14 to 18, 2025. At the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba, trainees were introduced to advanced research facilities, including the atmospheric chamber and lidar system. Lectures covered various topics such as oceanic observation networks, Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry (FTS), and chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CI-MS).
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Participants in Japan during Session 1 of the TNT training in April 2025
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At the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), participants studied topics including the ecological effects of atmospheric deposition, QA/QC activities in EANET, and the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project. Training also covered monitoring of soil, vegetation, and aquatic environments, and included a site visit to the Niigata city monitoring station to observe practical applications in air quality monitoring.
“Visiting the Niigata Monitoring Site and the Niigata Prefecture office provides an excellent opportunity to learn about local air quality monitoring and environmental management practices. The monitoring site offers hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing real-time air quality data, while the Prefecture office provides insight into how data is used to inform policy decisions and pollution control strategies at the regional level. This combined knowledge will be valuable for improving air quality management and implementing effective environmental policies in my country.”
“The cruise ship tour on the Bukhan River was a memorable experience, allowing me to enjoy the natural scenery, observe the habitat of black birds, and learn how the river’s water quality is measured.”
— A comment from a trainee
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Participants in Republic of Korea during the Session 1 of the TNT training in April-May 2025
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At SNU, trainees received instruction in air filter sampling and analysis techniques. At UNIST, the focus was on international research collaboration and satellite monitoring validation. At NAIR, they learned how air emissions data from various sources is compiled to support environmental policy and compliance. The Jeju Center visit introduced trainees to remote sensing and high-precision instruments for monitoring air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur compounds.
“The National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center (NAIR) of Korea is highly valuable for my capacity building because it leads in the systematic collection, analysis, and management of national air emissions data, which directly supports evidence-based air quality policies. As a professional in Air Quality, Noise, and Vibration, learning from NAIR’s advanced emission inventory system, modeling tools, and data validation methods would significantly enhance my technical skills and support the development of more accurate and effective air quality strategies in my country.”
— A comment from a trainee
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Sharing Knowledge Across the Region
According to post-training feedback, all participants found the program in both Japan and the Republic of Korea to be highly valuable. It is expected that the experience and knowledge gained will be shared with colleagues through seminars, lectures, or study meetings in their home countries, contributing to capacity building in air quality management across the EANET region.
“The discussion on the challenges faced by each country regarding the main sources of environmental pollution is an important matter, as it provides participants with the opportunity to share their views, experiences, and suggestions based on their respective national contexts. This allows for a deeper understanding of regional pollution issues and paves the way for more effective collaboration and solutions through platforms such as EANET.”
— A comment from a trainee
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Supporting Regional Cooperation
The 2025 TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program was approved as a Project Activity at the Twenty-sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET in November 2024. It was co-funded by the EANET Project Fund and the Republic of Korea, representing a continued commitment to regional cooperation in environmental protection.
The Technical and Training (TNT) program of the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea, and the EANET Capacity Building Program have been collaborating since 2023 to provide training on acid deposition and air quality management for the EANET Participating Countries. The second session of the program was held in Japan and the Republic of Korea in September and October 2024, offering training to four government representatives from the EANET Participating Countries.
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NIER’s TNT and EANET’s Capacity Building Program Session 2 in September-October 2024
In 2024, the program was structured into two sessions, each comprising two parts, alternating between the Republic of Korea and Japan. The second session started in Japan from September 30 to October 4, 2024, followed by the Republic of Korea from October 7 to October 18, 2024. Four government officials and researchers from four EANET Participating Countries (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Viet Nam) were selected to participate in this training, based on their professional backgrounds, technical expertise in monitoring activities, and motivation.
From late September to early October in Japan, at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in Niigata, EANET’s Network Center, participants attended lectures covering a wide array of atmospheric environmental issues. The trainees also learned about the mechanisms and processes of atmospheric deposition, including wet and dry deposition, QA/QC activity, calculation of the deposition flux and so on. Furthermore, participants learned about the monitoring equipment and how the data contribute to the air quality assessments. In the hands-on training, they learned the procedures for assembling filter packs to ensure accurate sampling, EC/pH analysis for rain samples, and the process of analysis using ion chromatography for the rain and filter pack samples including preparing standards solutions. By using ion chromatography, participants learned basic troubleshooting skills to avoid issues while handling and conducting analyses. Finally, participants visited the monitoring site in Niigata city, stationed in the Niigata prefecture office, where the telemeter system is located. During this visit, participants gained practical insights into how air quality monitoring is conducted in Niigata prefecture and learned about the challenges and real-world applications of air quality monitoring in a local context including costing and operations.
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The four EANET trainees during the TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program in Niigata in September-October 2024
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From early to mid-October, participants travelled to the Republic of Korea and underwent comprehensive training at the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in Incheon. During this training, lecturers presented the primary responsibilities and mission of NIER related to environmental protection and public health in the Republic of Korea. The trainees also visited several key institutions, including the Atmospheric Environment and Climate Change Laboratory at Seoul National University (SNU), the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST), the National Air Emission Inventory Research Center (NAIR), the Han River Environmental Research Center, and the Jeju Island Air Quality Research Center. At SNU, the trainees learned about filtering and sampling techniques, filter extraction, and mass concentration measurement, as well as the analysis of microelements using methods like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and organic carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC) analysis. They gained practical experience in conducting these analyses during hands-on laboratory sessions. At UNIST, they attended lectures on international research collaboration related to air quality, research instruments and tools for air quality analysis, and methods for validating satellite monitoring techniques. During their visit to NAIR, the trainees learned how the center compiles and manages data on pollutants from various sources, including industries, vehicles, and natural phenomena. This data supports air quality policies, regulations, and compliance assessments. The trainees also visited the Han River Environmental Research Center, where they explored the technologies and methods used to safeguard the environment of Paldang Lake. They delved into achievements in water quality monitoring, including analyzing the root causes of pollutants and studying biological indicators. Finally, they visited NIER’s Jeju monitoring station, where they learned about the use of advanced instruments and techniques, including high-precision analyzers and remote sensing tools. These instruments are employed to study air pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur compounds, along with their sources and transport patterns.
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The four EANET trainees during the TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program in Seoul, Ulsan, and Incheon in October 2024
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Enhancing Expertise in the EANET Participating Countries
The training’s feedback survey indicated that all participants found the program in Japan and the Republic of Korea to be highly valuable. It is anticipated that the experience and knowledge gained will be disseminated to colleagues in their respective countries through seminars, lectures, or study meetings, further enhancing expertise in air quality management in the EANET Participating Countries.
The Technical and Training (TNT) program of the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea, and the EANET Capacity Building Program have been collaborating since 2023 to provide training on acid deposition and air quality management for the EANET Participating Countries. The first session of the program was held in the Republic of Korea and Japan in April and May 2024, offering training to four government representatives from the EANET Participating Countries.
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Background
Since 2002, the EANET has trained over 200 government officials and researchers on acid deposition and air quality management through its individual training and capacity-building activities conducted mainly at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in Niigata, Japan, which hosts the Network Center for the EANET.
The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), part of the Ministry of Environment in the Republic of Korea, was established in 1978. It serves as the country’s primary research institution for various environmental aspects. NIER is based in Incheon and operates 12 air quality monitoring stations and 4 river research centers. The institute conducts extensive research and policy development on environmental health, climate, air quality, water resources, and energy, and collaborates on international projects aimed at global environmental protection.
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NIER’s TNT and EANET’s Capacity Building Program Session 1 in April-May 2024
In 2024, the program was structured into two sessions, each comprising two parts, alternating between the Republic of Korea and Japan. The first session started in the Republic of Korea from April 28 to May 11, 2024, followed by Japan from May 11 to May 18, 2024. Four government officials and researchers from four EANET Participating Countries were selected to participate in this training, based on their professional backgrounds, technical expertise in monitoring activities, and motivation.
From late April to early May, in the Republic of Korea, participants first underwent comprehensive training at the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in Incheon, where lecturers presented their primary responsibilities, ongoing projects, and the specialized tools and instruments utilized in their divisions. Additionally, the trainees visited the Atmospheric Environment and Climate Change Laboratory at Seoul National University(SNU) and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST). During their visit to SNU, they learned about filtering and sampling, filter extraction and mass concentration measurement, and analysis of microelements (XRF, OC/EC). In the laboratory hands-on section, they gained practical experience in conducting analyses. At UNIST, lectures on international research collaboration on air quality, research instruments and tools for analyzing air quality, and method validation of satellite monitoring were delivered. The trainees also explored NIER’s Jeju monitoring station and the National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center (NAIR) under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea. At these locations, they learned about the Republic of Korea’s policies and strategies for managing air pollution, extensive monitoring, analysis, and forecasting of air pollutant sources.
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The four EANET trainees during the TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program in Seoul, Osong, and Ulsan (Republic of Korea) in April-May 2024.
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During the second week of May, in Japan, participants visited the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba City, where they received briefings and lab tours in the Climate Change Research Hall. The trainees were also introduced to the atmospheric chamber and lidar system. They received lectures on the Earth System Division (ESD), and observations of NO2 and greenhouse gases (GHG) using stationary and mobile networks. While at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in Niigata, EANET’s Network Centre, participants attended lectures covering a wide array of atmospheric environmental issues, including the ecological impacts of atmospheric deposition and air pollution in Europe, the USA, and Asia. The training also covered methods for monitoring soil, vegetation, inland aquatic environments, and catchment areas. Furthermore, participants learned about quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) activities in EANET, data reporting procedures, the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project, the analysis of EANET monitoring data (including from the Periodic Report on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD)), and an introduction to emission inventories and air quality modeling. They also received an introduction to Air Quality Monitoring Systems Using Low-Cost Sensors (LCS). Finally, participants visited the EANET Niigata-Maki monitoring site. During this visit, participants had the opportunity to observe wet-only samplers (both weekly and daily), the filter pack system, automatic monitors for SO2, NOx, O3, PM2.5, and PM2.5 components, as well as meteorology monitors. This visit provided participants with hands-on practice using field equipment for air quality monitoring.
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The four EANET trainees during the TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program in Niigata, Tsukuba City, and at the Niigata-Maki monitoring station (Japan) in May 2024.
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Enhancing Expertise in the EANET Participating Countries
The training’s feedback survey indicated that all participants found the program in the Republic of Korea and Japan to be highly valuable. It is anticipated that the experience and knowledge gained will be disseminated to colleagues in their respective countries through seminars, lectures, or study meetings, further enhancing expertise in air quality management in the EANET Participating Countries.
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The second session of the Technical and Training Capacity Building Program will be held in Japan and the Republic of Korea in September and October 2024.
