Korea is presently getting affected by dust and other air pollutants coming from China. Particularly fine dust isn’t limited to the season which means Korea directly gets affected the moment w the wind in China blows in her direction. Given that China is the country with the largest amount of fine dust, Korea and neighboring countries, such as Japan, are suffering from fine dust.
When exposed to fine dust for a long time, the immunity is rapidly lowered, and it can be exposed to various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, eye diseases, as well as respiratory diseases such as colds, asthma and bronchitis. The diameter of sand on the beach is around 70 ㎛, but the diameter of fine dust is less than 10 ㎛. In other words, fine dust can enter the body deeper than sand, adsorbed to the lungs through the bronchi, causing respiratory diseases. Ultrafine dust having a diameter of 2.5 μm or less can penetrate deeper. It is also known to be absorbed into the blood vessels and causing stroke or heart disease.
If they are harmful to the human body, they are harmful to other non-human creatures too. Particularly wild animals and plants outside, which are sensitive to pollution in the long term, such as birds.
The economic damage suffered by companies is also considerably large. For example, semiconductor and electronics companies, which suffer defects when dust enters the manufacturing process, thus the cost of preventing defects and handling products is directly rising due to fine dust.
If you have any plans to go to Korea or its neighboring countries, you better not do it this season. If not possible, extra care should be taken such as wearing a mask to avoid being affected by the fine dust.
– Jihye Jeong (UB Intern)
