Dust Gets Worse along with Warm Weather

Experts advise wearing sunglasses and masks outdoor

Cub Reporter Choi Ji-yoon

　　　　　　　　 carol_choi@naver.com

BUFS campus is hazy with fine dust. Photographed by Park Jong-hoo

As May approaches, spring has definitely come. Clothes of professors and students got lighter and people are taking pictures anywhere with the blooming flowers. Despite the warm and cozy weather, however, not everyone is delighted of spring coming. It is because of the fine dust hitting all over the places with the absence of wind.

　To make the matter worse, yellow dust is also threatening our respiratory health. More and more students are seen coughing and are complaining about the sore throat. According to the Korea Environment Corporation, KECO, the weekly average of fine dust(Particular Matter 10) concentration of the nation has recorded 41㎍/㎥ during April 23rd to 29th. On the contrary, Busan showed comparatively good condition with the lowest 38㎍/㎥, the highest 62㎍/㎥, and weekly average of 47㎍/㎥. However, KECO has warned that fine dust will get worse showing a rise of 41㎍/㎥ compared to the previous month.

　Park Si-jin (DIV OF China '15) said "There were lots of people wearing masks outside. I felt that the matter of fine dust in Korea is getting tougher." Kim Yeong-jun (DIV OF Embedded IT '18) said "Due to the fine dust I check the weather forecast more often and I try to be more careful when I go out. The price of the mask is also a burden. I don't leave the windows open and wear masks whenever I go out." Han Byeol (DIV OF English '18) said "My throat is dry and my eyes are also very itchy." saying that she does not know how to deal with the fine dust.

　Combined Air Quality Forecasting Center said "When fine dust concentration lasts for a certain time, warnings will be issued by the Busan local government. We provide the data from the monitoring stations of each region rather than following the standards of the WHO." According to the data published by the corporation, South Korea, and China are having some conflicts with fine dust issues. They have signed up for 'Environmental Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding' and designated representative steel companies to localize South Korea's outstanding fine dust reduction technology. Additionally, the government inferred that they plan to newly construct Korea-China emergency channel (Hot Line) and do their best to expand the fine dust empirical business.

　Experts suggested to abstain from outdoor activities when the fine dust concentration is bad and to wear sunglasses and masks in outdoors. Drinking water frequently little by little also helps protect the respiratory system.