Downtown Seoul seen from Namsan Mountain on the 7th, when Seoul’s ultrafine dust and fine dust concentrations were recorded as very bad and bad, respectively. yunhap news
On the 7th, the air quality deteriorated to its worst level this winter.
At 10:00 the same day, the daily average concentrations of ultrafine dust (PM2.5) and fine dust (PM10) across the country were 86 μg/m3 and 143 μg/m3, respectively. The concentration of ultrafine dust rose to 260 μg/m3 in Pyeongtaek-si (Cheonbuk-eup), Gyeonggi-do early in the morning. In Iksak-si (Samgi-myeon), Jeollabuk-do, the concentration of fine particles rose to 353 μg/m3 at 8 am on the same day.
When the yellow dust was introduced on the 13th of last month, the daily average concentrations of ultrafine dust and fine dust were 33 μg/m3 and 136 μg/m3 respectively, lower than at present. At that time, the airflow was smooth, so the yellow dust didn’t stay long in Korea, but now the air is stagnant. Considering this, the air quality this weekend will be the worst this winter.
Currently, ultrafine dust warnings have been issued in Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Sejong, Chungbuk and Daejeon, and ultrafine dust warnings have been issued in all regions except Jeju. Regarding fine particles, warnings have been issued in Incheon, Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Gwangju, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, Ulsan and Busan.
Separately, yellow dust crisis warnings were issued at 17:00 the previous day for five cities and provinces, including Chungnam, Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam and Jeju.
On the 5th, the yellow dust native to northern China and the Gobi Desert was introduced, to which was added the fine dust generated in Korea, which accumulates in the atmosphere, and the fine dust concentration nationwide over the weekend will be elevated.
On the 7th, the particulate level is expected to be “very bad” in metropolitan area, Chungcheong, Honam, Busan, Daegu, Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam, and “bad” in Gangwon, Ulsan and Jeju. In Yeongseo, Gangwon, Ulsan and Jeju, there may be times when the fine dust temporarily deteriorates to a very low level in the afternoon.
On the 8th, the fine dust level will be bad in the metropolitan area, Gangwon-yeongseo, Chungcheong, Honam, Yeongnam and Jeju, and normal in the rest. However, at some point in the morning, the particulate matter level in the metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Sejong, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Daegu and Gyeongbuk will be very low.
On this day, emergency particulate matter abatement measures are implemented nationwide, except Yeongdong, Gangwon.
When fine dust is heavy, avoid going out as much as possible, and wear a mask properly if you go out, and do not stay for a long time near roads or construction sites where a lot of air pollutants are emitted. After going outside, be sure to wash your hands, feet, eyes and nose with running water and brush your teeth. Drinking plenty of water and eating vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables also helps.
