Yellow Dust

South Korea is a small nation with a very high population density. There are many people in a relatively small space using energy at what has become an alarming rate. In addition, emissions regulations may be a bit different in Korea than in your home country. Some say that the pollution, especially in the Seoul area, is unbearable. Others don't even make note of it. Moves toward a greener Korea have been taken. Plans for more fuel efficient and environment friendly buses (in the thousands) have been made. The move away from diesel fuel is slow, but growing.
Whether or not pollution in Korea poses a major health issue can vary from person to person. However, there is one factor that most foreigners in Korea (and Koreans alike) despise and this causes many to run for cover or go to more extreme measures to protect themselves--Yellow Dust.

Most Koreans will tell you that Yellow Dust comes from China and China is to blame for this cough inducing storm. While that's partially true, Yellow Dust originates from the deserts of China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The winds that blow across these deserts in the springtime carry the dust particles to East Asia (i.e. South Korea and Japan.) Despite attempts at reforestation, the problem has yet to lessen.You may ask yourself "What harm could it possibly do? It's just dust!" Well, the dust itself doesn't impose any real threats besides creating an icky layer of dirt on an open window sill. However, the particles that the dust mingles with while in transport are the problem. Things such as sulfur (from acid rain), heavy metals (no relation to Black Sabbath), and bacteria are picked up in the dust storm and make their way to Korea. These extra particles are what make Yellow Dust a nuisance and fear for many Koreans. During this season, you'll see handfuls of people wearing surgical masks and a not so pleasant yellow haze in the sky that isn't coming from the sun.Yellow Dust isn't new to the Korean peninsula. Reports and records of this yellow haze date back to the Silla dynasty in 174 AD. Yellow Dust (also known as Asian Dust) has been around for quite a while and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime soon. T.T