Ultrafine dust sweeps into the South Korean capital
- 3 years ago
잠잠했던 초미세먼지 다시 수도권 기습... 연일 상태 '나쁨'
The reduction in industrial activity amid COVID-19 had led to lower levels of air pollution recently.
But ultrafine dust has returned over the weekend, and we are seeing smoggy skies over Seoul this Monday.
Our Kim Yeon-seung reports.
Seoul Metropolitan Government on Sunday issued an ultrafine dust advisory after several days of dust concentrations at 'bad' levels, the second worst category on its four tier monitoring system.
It is the first time in nine months that the city has issued an ultrafine dust advisory.
Seoul city advises citizens to stay indoors and wear masks,... as inhaling large quantities of ultrafine dust can lead to respiratory problems, and even cancer.
Gyeonggi-do Province, Incheon city, and other areas in the west of the peninsula also suffered under the thick blanket of ultrafine dust.
Monday's ultrafine dust concentration hit 47 micrograms per cubic meter.
That's three times higher than the highest concentrations the weather agency categorizes as 'good' air quality.
And Seoulites can easily see for themselves that today's air quality is poor.
From this rooftop on a clear day, you can see Namsan Tower, Lotte World Tower, and the mountains beyond.
"Today, the air is thick with ultrafine dust.
So it's quite difficult to pick out Seoul landmarks like Namsan Tower… which is only around 10 kilometers away."
Some people suggest that the toxic dust particles are blown over the peninsula from the Mongolian and Chinese deserts.
But there's also those who suggest the ultrafine dust is produced a lot closer to home.
"There was a slight influx of dust on the afternoon of the 13th, but the biggest reason lies with the domestically produced pollutants. The weather conditions are quite stable so rather than being blown out, they keep circulating over the country."
Experts project that the west of the country will suffer from the high concentrations of ultrafine dust until Tuesday morning.
Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang News
The reduction in industrial activity amid COVID-19 had led to lower levels of air pollution recently.
But ultrafine dust has returned over the weekend, and we are seeing smoggy skies over Seoul this Monday.
Our Kim Yeon-seung reports.
Seoul Metropolitan Government on Sunday issued an ultrafine dust advisory after several days of dust concentrations at 'bad' levels, the second worst category on its four tier monitoring system.
It is the first time in nine months that the city has issued an ultrafine dust advisory.
Seoul city advises citizens to stay indoors and wear masks,... as inhaling large quantities of ultrafine dust can lead to respiratory problems, and even cancer.
Gyeonggi-do Province, Incheon city, and other areas in the west of the peninsula also suffered under the thick blanket of ultrafine dust.
Monday's ultrafine dust concentration hit 47 micrograms per cubic meter.
That's three times higher than the highest concentrations the weather agency categorizes as 'good' air quality.
And Seoulites can easily see for themselves that today's air quality is poor.
From this rooftop on a clear day, you can see Namsan Tower, Lotte World Tower, and the mountains beyond.
"Today, the air is thick with ultrafine dust.
So it's quite difficult to pick out Seoul landmarks like Namsan Tower… which is only around 10 kilometers away."
Some people suggest that the toxic dust particles are blown over the peninsula from the Mongolian and Chinese deserts.
But there's also those who suggest the ultrafine dust is produced a lot closer to home.
"There was a slight influx of dust on the afternoon of the 13th, but the biggest reason lies with the domestically produced pollutants. The weather conditions are quite stable so rather than being blown out, they keep circulating over the country."
Experts project that the west of the country will suffer from the high concentrations of ultrafine dust until Tuesday morning.
Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang News