Yellow dust storms spark concern in S. Korea

Yellow dust storms spark concern in S. Korea
By Ashley Rowland and Hwang Hae-rym, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, December 8, 2008

SEOUL — Yellow dust spiked to unhealthy levels in South Korea last week, the first of what could be many unseasonal storms this winter, Korea Meteorological Administration officials said.

Yellow dust storms usually hit South Korea in the spring, covering the country in a yellowish haze and causing respiratory problems in some people.

But KMA researcher Im Jae-chul said global warming is increasing the amount of desert in Asia, and in turn, increasing the number of sandstorms that blow from central Asia to South Korea.

“Yellow dust sandstorms are no longer happening seasonally,” he said. “They can hit any time, even in winter.”

Yellow dust levels spiked to 284 micrograms per cubic meter at U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan on Tuesday before falling to trace levels on Thursday.


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