Microbiological Identification and Distribution of Metal Components in Suspended Particulate Matter during Yellow Sand Phenomena at TaeAn Region in 2003 / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Airborne particles during Yellow Sand phenomena are known to be associated with the respiratory disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration and metal component properties of Yellow Sand particles and compare with airborne microbial concentration and species in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. METHODS: Samplings were carried out in 2002 in Seosan, during non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Samples were taken using the 8-stage Cascade impactor and metallic elements were analyzed by XRF. Those were culture on the media for bacterial and fungal culture and celline for virus. RESULTS: The concentration of total suspended particulate matter were respectively 80.2microgram/m3, 40.3microgram/m3 in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. The concentration of metallic elements such as Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. Two bacteria, Bacillus species and Staphylococcus were grown in two periods. In both periods, several fungal spores(Mucor species, Cladosporum, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria species) were identified. The differences of bacteria and fungus species not observed in Yellow Sand and non Yellow Sand. Any viruses were not isolated in between both periods. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of total suspended particulate matter and some metallic elements in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. The difference of bacteria and fungus species was not observed in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena.

From Historical Dust ail to Early Warning of Asian Dust Events in Korea

Asian dust is the windblown dust, frequently originating from the Sand desert, Gobi desert, and Loess plateau in Northern China and Mongolia during the spring season. This dust phenomenon is called as "Hwangsa" in Korea meaning yellow sand. Dust can be lifted into the middle troposphere by strong winds in the source regions. In this article, we will overview the historical records of Hwangsa and Early warning of Hwangsa in Korea. The symbolic word "Woo-Tou" was used to describe dust phenomenon, which was defined as a descending substance in the atmosphere other than water droplets. During that period we believed dust as an impetuous order toward king from God. Why dust falls from the sky? Did I do something wrong? The time when we reflected ourselves with modest mind. That was our image 100 years ago. Now Hwangsa is treated as a part of natural phenomena. Hwangsa flew from dried area such as China and Mongolia to Korean peninsular and appears as in yellow color. Particularly, human being's inappropriate management on earth soil makes origin area of Hwangsa to be expanded. Hwangsa, which occurs by overlapping of natural phenomena and artificial factors, causes various problems. To deal successfully with Hwangsa, we should cooperate with each other and expect peace in northeast Asia.

Effect of Yellow sand on respiratory symptoms and diurnal variation of peak expiratory flow in patients with bronchial asthma / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: It is known that air borne particulates are closely related with the respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in patients with respiratory diseases. In Korea, concentrations of airborne dust and inhalable particulates are dramatically increased by the Yellow sand phenomenon, especially in springtime. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Yellow sand-related airborne dust on the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of patients with bronchial asthma. METHOD: 21 non-smoking, tree pollen non-sensitized subjects with bronchial asthma in Seoul were included in this study. For each subject, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms were recorded by self-administered standardized questionnaire and by monitoring PEF between April and May 2000. Symptom score and diurnal variability of PEF were compared with the levels of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) checked in that time at 25 points in Seoul. RESULTS: 15 (71.4%) of the enrolled subjects successfully finished this study. There was no statistically significant relationship between the increment of Yellow sand-related PM10 and respiratory symptom or PEF variability. Of the 15 subjects, there were increased symptoms for the eye in 2 (13.3%) subjects, nose in 3 (20.0%), and sinus in 1 (6.7%), which were associated with Yellow sand-related increase of airborne dust levels. 5 (33.3%) subjects showed changes of PEF variability proportional to the change of PM10. CONCLUSION: Meteorological phenomenon related with Yellow sand has a potential risk of aggravating the upper respiratory tract symptoms and of deteriorating pulmonary functions in patients with asthma.