SEOUL, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Pollution-filled wind from China has Seoul and many other South Korean cities under an advisory warning against inhaling yellow dust Monday.
The seasonal arrival of yellow dust is the worst in five years, and comes from southern Mongolia and northern China, where deserts have endured low precipitation and low atmospheric pressure. South Korean residents were advised to stay indoors, or to wear protective masks and goggles when outdoors.
At 4 a.m. Monday, Seoul registered 1,044 micrograms per cubic meter of "PM-10" particulate matter pollutants in its air, a record. A reading of over 400 micrograms prompts a yellow dust advisory, and a warning is issued for a reading of 800 micrograms. Exposure to these pollutants can cause cardiac and respiratory problems. The Korea Meteorological Administration said the airborne dust would continue until Tuesday. On its website it posted a chart of weather conditions throughout South Korea, with "Dust" entered as the prevailing weather for 20 cities.
