Air Pollution and PM (Particular Matter, Fine Dust)

 

Air pollution 'greatest risk' to global life expectancy 

Nearly a quarter of the global population lives in just four south Asian countries that are among the most polluted -- Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan

An estimated 1.24 million people died from exposure to air pollution in the PRC in 2017, according to a recent study in the medical journal The Lancet. Since 2000, the number of people who have died from air pollution in the PRC tops 30 million, according to New Scientist magazine.

 

 

has become an increasing threat to people and the environment. The air pollution comes from many sources, both domestic and international. Many forms of pollution have increased in South Korea since its rapid industrialization, especially in Seoul and other cities. According to, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Seoul is amongst one of the world's cities with the worst air pollution. From 2009 and 2013, the city's mean Pm₁₀ were higher than in many of the largest metropolitan cities in the world such as: Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, and London. It is also estimated that air quality accounted for about 16 percent of deaths in the Seoul Metropolitan Area in 2010. (and this is 10 years ago!)

South Korea's air pollution has the worst air quality of the 35 richest countries in the world.

• China

Many South Koreans blame China for its pollution because of the spread of their yellow dust that is being produced by huge factories and coal-fired power plants.^[China causes 30 to 50 percent of the PM2.5 in South Korea on normal days, but 60 to 80 percent on the worst days.

• Traffic

Traffic, factories and power plants all contribute to pollution.  Conventional power plants combust fossil fuels to produce energy and release hazardous gases such as oxides and nitrogen, carbon monoxide, particulates, and hydrocarbons into the air.

The number of cars on the road is increasing. In a fast growing economy like South Korea, the growth of imports and exports can increase fossil fuel combustion. Especially in big cities like Seoul rising pollution will cause more problems for residents.

• Asian Dust Storms

Every Spring, East Asian countries such as: South Korea and Japan are victims of severe dust storms. The dust storms originate from dry desert regions in western China and Inner Mongolia. These dust storms were first recorded 2,000 years ago in South Korea and China. The effects of Asian Dust Storms are respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cause of pinkeye, obstructing visibility, and damaging goods. As a result, the mortality rate and health problems within the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases increased in 2002. These storms have also caused economic problems where damages amounted to an estimate of $15.5 billion in 2002. 

• Prevailing Winds

These prevailing winds occur year-round from the west toward the east in the middle latitudes between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. The Korean peninsula sits in the prevailing westerlies zone between 43 degrees north and 33 degrees north. During the spring, dry sand storms from deserts in China and Inner Mongolia travel long distances with these prevailing westerlies and causing sandstorms. 

South Korea Analysis: Air Pollution Cuts Lives Short by More Than A Year