Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jinglejangle]

I'm sure this is not news to anyone who's been here more than a year, but, for the newly arrived expats, today was the start of the "Yellow dust phenomenon", (Ȳ������) which is an annual occurance whereby dust from the rapidly expanding wastelands in Western China floats over here in a huge cloud, picking up lots and lots of toxins and such as it passes through the mighty pollution of Eastern China's industrial zones.

Expect to see lot's of Koreans wearing masks, hazy murky skies, and a film of dust covering things, if it really gets bad. I heard it's getting progressively worse annually because of the deforestation of much of China, (China's trying their best to reverse that now, but it hasn't made much impact yet.)

You can also expect irritation to your respiratory tract and eyes, as this stuff is not good for you.

The Koreans of my aquaintance generally advise not walking around outside if you can help it, but I dunno. Seoul air's pretty poor already, and I figure my lungs are pretty well shot anyway.

Anyone with greater knowledge about this or tips on preventing negative symptoms short of wearing a mask, please enlighten us all.

So anyway, enjoy your yellow dust cloud season all.
See ya 'round

[Koreabound2004]

I have heard of this before, but never experienced it.

Does it affect some areas of Korea worse than others....or is it across the entire country?

I am in the far south....just wondering.

[manlyboy]

Is that why the sun looks white today?

*runs around in a panic* We're all gonna die! We're all gonna die!

[eamo]

Darn! And I just washed my windows!!! (didn't actually...)

[Mashimaro]

made my throat hurt like a mother last year. This ajumma laughed at me when I told her it was because of the yellow dust. She saw me wearing a t-shirt and reasoned that if I wore warmer clothes my throat wouldn't have hurt. Some good korean logic there!

[schwa]

I'd say on average theres a handful of yellow dust events each year. The worst of them color the sky & leave a nasty residue on everything. Far worse in China though & people there manage to survive.

Spring here is dusty at the best times. Road sand, dry soil, little if any rain, & wind combine to make the air a bit rough. Whats a little extra toxic Gobi sand?

You'll know when its bad. Then, commonsense suggests you close your windows, avoid smoking & jogging (duh) outdoors, breathe through your nose, dont touch or rub your eyes, & wash your hands first thing when coming indoors.

But thats only a few days out of an otherwise pleasant season. No call to be super-paranoid.

[jinglejangle]

[Real Reality]

KMA Predicts Miserable Spring
Warmer temperatures, when they finally arrive in April, will be accompanied by Yellow Sand - a thick dust haze swept into the country from the Gobi and Takla Makan deserts that brings respiratory and eye problems for many.
by Lee Wee-jae, Chosun Ilbo (February 24, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200502/200502240036.html

Don't take a deep breath: Seoul's air quality poor
The Environment Ministry announced yesterday that Seoul's air quality does not meet minimum international standards after the agency conducted its first measurement of fine dust particles. In fact, air quality in some parts of Seoul exceeds U.S. environmental standards by more than four times. Researchers found the concentration of fine dust is 42 to 48 micrograms (one millionth of a gram) in the Seoul area, three times the standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of 15 micrograms per cubic meter. Fine dust in Bulgwang-dong area in northern Seoul averaged 38 micrograms per cubic meter from March to December last year.

In Bucheon, Gyeonggi province, fine dust was measured at 45 micrograms per cubic meter. Fine dust, which is smaller than coarse dust, is known to be the main cause of respiratory illnesses. The diameter of fine dust particles is defined as being less than 2.5 micrometers (one millionth of a meter). Dust pollution was found to be most serious in downtown Seoul. The Environment Ministry assessed Dongdaemun, Cheonggyecheon, Yeongdeungpo and the Sinchon areas. Fine dust particles were measured at 76 micrograms per cubic meter.
Currently, South Korea does not have a standard for fine dust particles.
by Kang Chan-su, JoongAng Ilbo (January 27, 2005)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200501/26/200501262246555579900090409041.html

Air and water: causes for concern
The JoongAng Ilbo and a handful of researchers recently studied air and water pollution in Korea, and how they affect public health. Their results showed that both air and water pollution levels in parts of Korea are high enough to cause various diseases.
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200404/21/200404212203389039900091009101.html

Bad air, bad policy
Data have been released that show Seoul's air quality is the worst among the 30 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Although we have experienced hazy skies and polluted air daily, it is still surprising to be told that the level of pollution in Seoul is even worse than those notoriously polluted places -- Rome and Mexico City. It is deplorable that the government did not take effective measures to stop the environmental degradation. We are worried the situation could get even worse, preventing Seoulites from going on outings in the city.

According to Seoul's air pollution index, microscopic dust, which causes respiratory diseases, is 1.8 to 3 times more prevalent in Seoul's air than in that of Tokyo, New York and Paris; and, the density of nitrogen sulfurous acid is 1.7 times higher than that of other industrially advanced countries. Statistics show that the number of people who die from diseases caused by microscopic dust has reached 10,000 per year, and the social cost from air pollution exceeds 8 trillion won ($6.4 billion). The major reason among the various causes of pollution is exhaust fumes, and that from diesel engines are the main culprit. Vehicular exhausts accounts for 85 percent of air pollution in Korea and diesel engines, which account for 29 percent of all automobile engines, account for 52 percent of pollutants emitted by vehicles.

But the Korean government recently adopted a policy that allows sales of diesel-fuel cars. The government has modified the international standard on diesel engines, allowing domestic sales of light-oil fueled cars from 2005. We are perplexed that the government did not make clear the conditions for preventing air pollution. If the price of diesel fuel, which is now 58 percent of the price of gasoline, is not raised to an adequate level, sales of diesel cars will rise drastically. The hurried decision to allow sales of diesel cars, disregarding the technological shortcomings for reducing harmful gas emission and desulfurization, will make air pollution worse.
JoongAng Daily (April 2, 2003)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200304/02/200304020036045939900090109011.html


The above graph is from http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/skoren.html.

Seoul's Air Pollution Worst Among OECD Members
Seoul's air pollution is the worst among countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Environment Ministry said yesterday. The capital's particulate matter (PM), which can cause various respiratory problems, was measured at 71 micrograms per cubic meter at the end of 2001, the ministry said.

The figure is the highest among OECD countries, surpassing the 60 micrograms reported in Rome, Italy, and 53 micrograms for Mexico City -- cities that are both notorious for severe urban air pollution. Moscow recorded the lowest pollution level in terms of PM with 10 micrograms, with cities such as Paris and Auckland also significantly lower than Seoul with 24 and 25 micrograms, respectively. The density of nitrogen dioxide in Seoul was 0.037 ppm (parts per million), ranking third after Moscow with 0.058 ppm and Bratislava, Slovakia, with 0.047 ppm. Excessive exposure to nitrogen dioxide can exacerbate pneumonia and bronchitis.
Korea Times (March 31, 2003)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200303/kt2003033117244911980.htm

[Dr.Henry] Sandy Dust and Skin
Due to rapid industrialization in China, recent sandy dust contains heavy metals, such as quartz, cadmium and lead, worsening its toxicity.
After going out in sandy dust, thorough cleansing is required, not to mention washing one��s hands and brushing one's teeth. Further, double cleansing using a cleansing lotion or cream and foaming soap, even for women who wear no make-up, is desirable. Skin exhausted by sandy dust gets so sensitive that saunas, deep cleansing, and removal of keratins should be also avoided. Dry skin worsens the sensitivity of skin, thus moisturizing care is essential. Wearing a mask and applying rich cream before make-up is helpful to minimizing the harm caused by sandy dust.
In addition, drink plenty of water to help purge body wastes and provide antioxidants for the skin. Common food containing antioxidants are green tea and soybean and they also contain vitamin C and vitamin E.
Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200304/kt2003040617070111730.htm

[VanIslander]

[Real Reality]

Geoje-do?

[just because]

[jinglejangle]

YES!!! Just because validates my statements, so I like him/her the best.
Especially because he/she has one of the only ȿ�� pictures I've ever liked for an avatar.

Lo, the end of the world is upon us. Someone call Kwangjuchicken, that we may learn the exact time and date.

[VanIslander]

If there are toxins and chemicals in with it then it certainly is twice as silly to call it "yellow dust".

[jinglejangle]

[Real Reality]

Yellow Sand to Strike This Month
A thick cloud of dust and sand particles will blow in from the desert regions of China and Mongolia and blanket the Korean peninsula late this month. The dust and sand storms otherwise known as "Yellow Sand" in Korea have plagued Northeast Asia for thousands of years, but has gotten worse in the last few decades. The unpleasant seasonal occurrence happens mostly in the spring as the soil becomes softer in the absence of winter humidity, enabling winds to carry sand and dust over great distances.

Due to the rapid expansion of deserts in China, the number of sand storm-affected days in Korea soared from an annual average of 3.9 in the 1980s to 7.7 in the '90s. These days, "Yellow Sands" pose a greater threat as the sand and dust particles capture and carry pollutants, including heavy metals. This not only presents dangers to human health by causing respiratory and other diseases, but also damages sensitive high-tech gadgets.
Chosun Ilbo (March 9, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200503/200503090008.html