What Is the Impact of China-Originated Smog on Korea? "Wear Masks and Avoid Outdoor Activities When Air Quality Is Poor"

Road Closures Due to Smog in China... "Cause is Increased Industrial Activity"
"Wearing Masks and Ventilating Despite Poor Air Quality is Essential"

As smog originating from China intensifies, fine dust levels in the central region of the Korean Peninsula are expected to rise from the 3rd through the weekend, leading to a deterioration in air quality. On days when fine dust concentrations are high, it is advisable to wear masks rated KF80 or higher and to limit outdoor activities.

The spread of smog in the Beijing metropolitan area is attributed to increased industrial activity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, industrial activity decreased, causing a sharp reduction in fossil fuel consumption and consequently lowering the amount of air pollutants. However, recently, as China resumed operations of industrial facilities, the emission of air pollutants has surged rapidly.

The smog in the Beijing metropolitan area, which began on the 22nd of last month, has continued through the 2nd. The Beijing city government issued an orange air quality alert (severe pollution level) until this day, advising the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses to avoid going outside. The previous day, the Beijing Road Corporation temporarily closed eight highway routes under its jurisdiction, signaling an emergency situation.

On the 1st, a fine dust warning was issued in Beijing, China.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Accordingly, the air quality in the central region of South Korea is also likely to worsen. Approximately 32% of fine dust in Korea is influenced by China. Professor Lim Young-wook of Yonsei University’s Environmental Pollution Research Institute explained in an interview with YTN Newsrider on the 2nd, "According to the 2019 international joint research data on long-range air pollutants in Northeast Asia by the National Institute of Environmental Research and others, although it varies by season and period, it appears that about 30 to 35% of fine dust comes from China."

According to the air quality concentration forecast from the National Institute of Environmental Research’s Integrated Air Quality Forecast Center on the same day, some central and western regions are expected to experience slightly elevated fine dust concentrations at night on the 3rd due to the influx of foreign dust. On the 4th, fine dust remaining from the previous day is expected to accumulate due to stagnant air in some central and western areas, resulting in 'high' fine dust levels in Incheon and southern Gyeonggi Province.

From the 5th onward, due to smooth atmospheric dispersion and the influence of precipitation, fine dust concentrations are expected to be at 'low' levels across all regions.

For the elderly or those with underlying respiratory conditions, it is recommended to wear masks when air quality is poor. However, since masks cannot block some gaseous substances, it is best to minimize outdoor activities as much as possible.

Professor Lim Young-wook emphasized, "Masks reduce particulate matter, helping less of it enter the respiratory tract, but during periods when gaseous substances like nitrogen oxides are present, masks only reduce some of these substances. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular diseases should make every effort to avoid outdoor activities."

He further explained, "The first areas affected are the eyes and mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes. While the skin on the face has a protective keratin layer, the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract are directly irritated. When we go to places with severe air pollution, we cough, sneeze, or produce phlegm?these are immune system responses."

He also stressed the importance of ventilation even when fine dust levels are high. Professor Lim said, "Indoor smoking or cooking generates a large amount of pollutants including fine dust. Even cleaning stirs up many pollutants indoors. If you have not ventilated for a long time, you should ventilate several times a day, frequently but briefly, rather than for long periods."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.