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Iksan is strategically positioned in the heart of Jeonbuk Province in South Korea's southwestern region, approximately 200 kilometers south of Seoul. The city sits within the expansive Honam Plain, South Korea's largest agricultural basin, which profoundly shapes its environmental character. At an elevation averaging just 20-30 meters above sea level, Iksan's flat terrain creates natural drainage basins that can trap airborne pollutants during atmospheric stagnation. The city is encircled by modest mountain ranges to the east and west—the Noryeong Mountains to the east and the Seonunsan Mountains to the west—which can act as partial barriers to air circulation while also providing some protection from industrial emissions traveling from coastal areas. Iksan's urban core blends with extensive surrounding agricultural lands, creating a distinct urban-rural gradient where farming activities including rice cultivation and occasional field burning contribute particulate matter to the air. The city lies approximately 40 kilometers inland from the Yellow Sea coast, far enough to miss the cleansing sea breezes that benefit coastal cities but close enough to occasionally receive maritime air masses. Iksan forms part of the Honam Industrial Belt, with nearby cities like Gunsan and Jeonju hosting manufacturing facilities whose emissions can drift into Iksan under prevailing westerly winds. The Geum River flows just north of the city, providing some moisture but insufficient to significantly disperse pollutants. This geographical positioning—in a low-lying agricultural basin surrounded by partial mountain barriers and situated within an industrial region—creates conditions where pollutants from urban activities, agriculture, and regional industry can accumulate, particularly during periods of atmospheric stability.

Iksan's air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by Korea's temperate monsoon climate. During winter (December-February), cold, stable atmospheric conditions frequently create temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the ground, particularly during high-pressure systems. These inversions, combined with increased heating emissions and occasional agricultural burning, create the year's worst air quality episodes, with January and February being particularly problematic months. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during winter mornings when inversions are strongest. Spring (March-May) brings transitional conditions with increasing winds that help disperse pollutants, though the season can experience occasional dust events from Asian dust storms (hwangsa) that sweep across from China and Mongolia, typically peaking in March and April. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air as the East Asian monsoon brings abundant rainfall that scrubs pollutants from the atmosphere, while southerly winds from the ocean provide cleaner air masses. However, high humidity can combine with pollutants to create occasional haze, and ozone levels may rise on hot, sunny days. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality but gradually deteriorates as temperatures drop and atmospheric stability increases, with November often showing worsening conditions. The optimal months for outdoor activities are typically June through September, while the most challenging period extends from late November through February. Sensitive individuals including those with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly should monitor daily air quality forecasts year-round and consider wearing masks during peak pollution episodes.