Seoul city center viewed 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 the worst level this winter.
As of 10 a.m. on 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 soared 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 dust rose to 353 μg/m3 at 8 am on the same day.
When 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 now. At that time, the air flow was smooth, so yellow dust did not stay in Korea for a long time, but now the air is stagnant. Considering this, the air quality this weekend will be the worst this winter.
Currently, ultrafine dust alerts have been issued in Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Daejeon, and ultrafine dust advisories have been issued in all regions except for Jeju. Regarding fine dust, advisories were issued in Incheon, Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Gwangju, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, Ulsan, and Busan.
Separately, yellow dust crisis warnings were issued for five cities and provinces, including Chungnam, Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju, at 5:00 pm the previous day.
On the 5th, yellow dust originating from northern China and the Gobi Desert was introduced, and fine dust generated in Korea was added to it, accumulating in the atmosphere, and the concentration of fine dust nationwide over the weekend will be high.
On the 7th, the fine dust level is expected to be ‘very bad’ in the 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 fine dust temporarily deteriorates to a very bad level in the followingnoon.
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 level of fine dust in the metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Sejong, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk will be very bad.
On this day, emergency fine dust reduction measures are being implemented nationwide, except for Yeongdong, Gangwon.
When fine dust is heavy, avoid going out as much as possible, and if you do go out, wear a mask correctly and do not stay for a long time near roads or construction sites where a lot of air pollutants are emitted. After going out, be sure to wash your hands, feet, eyes and nose with running water and brush your teeth. Drinking plenty of water and eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C also helps.
