In North Asia, including China, Mongolia, South Korea, and Japan, yellow dust, a seasonal meteorological phenomena brought on by sandstorms from the Gobi desert, is having a negative impact on millions of people. Small dust particles increase air pollution and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses in individuals. Due to rising temperatures and less precipitation in the Gobi Desert, sandstorms have been more frequent since the 1960s.
This year, sandstorms began in March, and there were four sandstorms that dusted houses, vehicles, and bicycles in the first two weeks of April alone. Concentrations of fine dust were twice the official level in Seoul and 46.2 times the WHO guideline value in Beijing, posing acute health hazards owing to particle inhalation.
