Unwelcome Guest in the air, Fine Dust
Walking on the streets, you lift your head up to see clear blue sky and white clouds. Unfortunately, what you see is hazy and
murky sky that makes you be afraid of even breathing. If this is a familiar scene you're facing right now, you are in the midst of
fine dust all over in the atmosphere. Spring is not all welcome because it also brings along dusty sky and stuffed air, more than
any other times. Fine dust is Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans). Let us look at what it is composed of and how harmful
it is.
Why Fine Dust is Bad
Fine dust is made of dust particles and various types of pollutants that stick to them. Fine dust can cause cancer and it consists of
ions such as nitrate, ammonium, sulfate, and carbon compounds and metal compounds. Fine dust is artificial pollutant that is pro-
duced during coal or oil combustion in car, or at home or factories. Fine dust is hazardous chemical substance and it is highly
harmful to human body.
When human body is exposed to fine dust, it can result in different diseases in respiratory system or skin. In particular, when
people with respiratory issues are exposed to ultrafine particles, their existing conditions may exacerbate and even lead them to
hospitalization. Also, patients with heart diseases or cardiovascular disease may suffer high blood pressure or strokes because of
fine dust. Therefore, elderly with respiratory troubles, children and pregnant women should refrain themselves from going outside
on a day with heavy fine dust. They need to pay extra attention to minimize harm from fine dust.
How to Reduce and Remove Fine Dust
To avoid exposure to fine dust, it is best not to go outside. However, it is almost impossible to completely stay indoors. Thus,
when there is much fine dust, wear masks before going out and brush your teeth and cleanse your mouth with mouthwash after
coming back home.
1. Do not open windows.
When fine dust fills the air, close the windows to prevent fine dust from entering.
2. When going outside, wear hat, glasses and masks that effectively block fine dust.
Fine dust covers scalp's pores and interferes with metabolism such as sebum secretion blood circulation. So, wear hats to protect your scalp and make sure to wash your hair after you come
back home. To protect your eyes from fine dust, it is recommended to wear glasses instead of contact lenses. If you wear special masks that are effective in blocking fine dust, rather than ordi-
nary masks, it helps to prevent diseases such as throat infection and bronchial trouble.
3. Drink water frequently.
When you inhale fine dust, it can make your throat hoarse and sore, and even cause inflammation. Hence, you need to drink water frequently, more than eight cups a day. It can help keep your
respiratory system moist and filter out fine dust.
4. Wash your hands and face, and brush your teeth thoroughly.
If you have weak and sensitive skin, take a shower immediately after coming back from outside and wash your face more thoroughly. Fine dust particles are so minute in size that clothes
cannot completely block them from contacting skin. Take a shower right after you get home.
5. Eat sea mustard, fruits and vegetables.
Sea mustard, fruits and vegetables are effective in preventing heavy metal in fine dust from accumulating in human body. Drinking green tea also helps as it increases the amount of water in
blood and accelerates urinary excretion of heavy metal.
Questions about Fine Dust
dust?
A. There has been a myth that you need to eat barbecued pork belly on a day with heavy yellow
dust or fine dust in order to cleanse your respiratory system of fine dust. But this is not scientifically
founded. Lean pork can be good for you as it provides protein and boost immunity. However, it is
inappropriate to regard pork as food that directly prevents and treats health issues from yellow dust.
A. It is best not to open windows and ensure that fine dust does not enter indoors. If you need to
open windows for ventilation, wipe with wet rag anywhere fine dust may have fallen. But if you have
asthma or chronic respiratory diseases, it is recommended that you neither open the windows nor
go outside until fine dust goes away.
A. When there is heavy fine dust, keep fruits, vegetables and marine products in containers or cov-
ered in plastic wrap in order to block fine dust. Clean them thoroughly using produce washes before
eating.
Fine dust peaks in spring, so it will be quite some time until we can enjoy warm spring weather. Before then, please keep this posting in mind and stay away from fine dust so that your respiratory organs and lung will remain healthy.
