China dust storm hits East Asia

BBC ^ | 03 Mar 2008 | BBC

[BGHater]

The dust picks up toxins as it passes over Chinese factories Yellow dust storm

A huge cloud of choking dust is passing over South Korea as the first sand storm of the year blows in from China.

South Korea has ordered schools to close and drivers in south-west Japan have been warned about low visibility from the dust clouds.

Every spring brings "yellow dust" storms which blow sand from China's Gobi Desert over the Koreas and Japan.

The dust storms have become more deadly each year as they pass over China's industrial zones picking up toxins.

South Korea blames dozens of deaths every year on the storms, mostly of elderly people and those with respiratory problems.

South Korean authorities advised parents to keep younger children at home to avoid the dust.

"We have advised the closure because kindergarten, primary school students have weaker immune systems," Min Eyu-gi, an education official in the southern city of Busan, told Reuters news agency.

Seasonal winds lasting from late February to April or May combine with dry winter weather to pick up millions of tonnes of sand from China's northern deserts.

The storms turn the sky a yellow colour and coat everything in a layer of fine dust.

[Slapshot68]

And Kyoto was going to give these people a pass? lol

[Charles Henrickson]

Every spring brings "yellow dust" storms which blow sand from China's Gobi Desert over the Koreas. . . .

Twenty years ago at just about this time I went over to Korea for four months. During that time the "yellow dust" hit Korea and made me EXTREMELY sick! I thought I was gonna die!

I got better.

[gleeaikin]

China environmental ping.

[PeterFinn]

Bush’s fault.

[robomatik]

over there certain people call the chinese air pollution "smit." for "smoked $hit." supposedly, you can slice it with a knife, and it makes a nice addition to a dagwood sandwich. :)

[meanie monster]

Ping-a-ling

[Ronin]

It’s been pretty bad the last couple days. You feel gritty right after a shower, eyes itch like crazy, scratchy throat all the time.

Riding the train you see more face masks than faces, and that’s very unusual for this time of the year.

[JACKRUSSELL]

(Please FReepmail me if you would like to be on or off of the list.)

[mikrofon]

Well, I was always told *not* to eat the yellow dust.
(or, was that something else?)

Some 22 years ago in early spring, I actually was in the Tokyo area for a week or so -- didn't notice the phenomenon while there, whether it didn't reach that far north or wasn't predominant that year, dunno...

[martin_fierro]

Dust Bunnies like you wouldn't BELIEVE.

[BGHater]

(Insert Chinese translation)Tim, Bobbie lets go play in the dust and make a Dustman.

[sweetiepiezer]

Thanks for the ping JACK.
Must get pretty bad there.

[uglybiker]

I got better.

It turned you into a newt?