Yellow dust season arrives in Korea

[unhappycamper]

Yellow dust season arrives in Korea
By Jimmy Norris, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, February 22, 2009

SEOUL — Yellow dust season started Friday, with some areas spiking at more than 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

Levels dropped back to under 400 by early evening.

The seasonal phenomenon, which typically takes place between February and June, brings dust laden with heavy metals from the deserts of Mongolia and China, causing health concerns for children under age 11, seniors over age 65 and people with heart and breathing conditions.

According to Maj. Clarence Thomas, an environmental science officer with the 65th Medical Brigade, levels above 800 micrograms per cubic meter of air call for a warning to the community.

"At over 800, you should avoid going out," he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60875

[Qanisqineq]

1. Yeah, tell me about it

This is the beginning of my 4th year in Korea and every year I forget about the dust. Every year I can't figure out why I am sneezing and stuffed up. Then I remember the Yellow Dust. Ugh.