Yellow dust is sand that originates in China and blows over parts of Korea and Japan during the spring. Not a big deal, right? Well, it wouldn't be. . . if it was just sand. Unfortunately, highly industrialized and not so environmentally friendly China also spews out high concentrations of pollutants which travel along with the sand. Therefore, yellow dust contains such wonderful things as sulfur, soot, ash, carbon monoxide, and heavy metal pollutants like mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, lead, and other carcinogens. Lovely.
Obviously, breathing in yellow dust is harmful to even the healthiest person, but it's extremely detrimental to those with asthma or other respiratory problems. Also at risk are young children, the elderly. . . and pregnant ladies. Fantastic. South Korea has a monitoring system in place and puts out warnings when the number of particles in the air reaches a certain point. For example, just last weekend, we were under a 'Yellow Dust Warning: Moderate,' during which it was suggested that we "limit" outdoor activities. Despite our best efforts to do so, Jonathan and I both had sore throats, headaches, and mild congestion by the end of the weekend.
Today we are under a 'Yellow Dust Warning: High,' which means we are urged to AVOID outdoor activities until noon tomorrow. So lucky pregnant me gets to hang out inside for the next 24 hours. All the doors and windows are shut which means it is absolutely SWELTERING in here (Osan refuses to turn on the air conditioning until we have 5 consecutive days of 85 + degree weather----another reason being pregnant in Korea is so much fun.)
Oh, and in case you are wondering why it's called "yellow dust". . .
. . . it's because it's yellow! After I closed my windows today, I grabbed a rag and dusted off my window sills, which were already covered in yellow dust. Keep in mind. . . I dusted my house just two days ago.
Aren't you glad you don't live in Korea?
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