Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulMan6]

As I head into my 4th yellow dust (hwangsa) season as a major sufferer, I thought I'd give some advice on how to survive.

* Keep everything clean. Wipe down your desk, computer, etc.

* Buy a humidifier. Use it. A lot. Especially while you sleep.

* Buy eucalyptus oil and burn it in an incense burner thingy or add a few drops to the humidifier water. Eucalyptus helps your sinuses (and with insects.)

* Take pseudoephedrine (ask for it by it's Konglish name: soo-do-eh-peh-drin, rather than telling the pharmacist that you have a stuffy nose) and ibuprofen (ee-boo-pro-pen) for the pain.

* Tell your friends that you might turn into a short-tempered bast*rd if it hits hard. Beg them to forgive you in advance.

Hope this helps. I fear the season.

[newton kabiddles]

Why the humidifier? How does that make a difference? Does the moisture capture the dust and bring it down to the floor?

[SeoulMan6]

The yellow dust clogs your sinuses (sinusitis) and the humidifier will help clear them out. But you have to be sure to clean the humidifier every month or so to keep it free of mold.

[butlerian]

According to Koreans, the solution is to eat sangyeopsal

[newton kabiddles]

[SeoulMan6]

"I use an air cleaner while I'm sleeping. What do you think of that?"

I'm no expert, but I imagine it could work quite well IF you keep your surfaces clean too (easier said than done.) If you get sinusitis, the humidifier will help clear it up, but the air cleaner is more preventive than curative.

And, like the man said, the Koreans really do recommend samgyupsal. And telling me to eat more samgyupsal? That's like telling me to drink more beer. hehe. Actually, alcohol dries you out which is bad for your sinuses.

[Chamchiman]

The Korea Meteorological Administration website (which appears to me to be excellent) has a "Hwangsa Center" which shows a graphical readout of yellow dust levels.

http://www.kma.go.kr/dust/dust_01_02.jsp

There's also a page which seems to give current levels around the country.

http://www.kma.go.kr/dust/dust_01_01.jsp

OK. All well and good. But, does anyone know of a site where we can find a hwangsa forecast? (As a 'for instance' where I'd like to see a forecast: I'm planning on heading to Gangwon-do on Saturday for a weekend in the mountains, but I probably wouldn't go if I thought the dust was going to be as bad as it was last Sunday.)

Cheers.

[mnhnhyouh]

If you already have your floor heating on, a damp towel on the floor will provide humidity for free....

And the same site, but in English and from the source can be found here

http://www.seoul.amedd.army.mil/sites/yellowsand/default.asp

h

[Maz]

Great post, thankyou...


where does one buy eucalyptus oil from?

[SeoulMan6]