How long will the 'ultra-high concentrated fine dust' last? Forecaster "It builds up, but it builds up, and today it flows in again from outside."

YTN Radio (FM 94.5) [YTN News FM Wise Radio Life]

□ Broadcast date and time: January 22, 2025 (Wednesday)
□ Host: Announcer Park Gui-bin
□ Castor: Yoon Jong-min, General Forecaster of the National Institute of Environmental Sciences Integrated Air Quality Forecasting Center

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information.

YTN Radio (FM 94.5) [YTN News FM Wise Radio Life]

□ Broadcast date and time: January 22, 2025 (Wednesday)
□ Host: Announcer Park Gui-bin
□ Castor: Yoon Jong-min, General Forecaster of the National Institute of Environmental Sciences Integrated Air Quality Forecasting Center

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information.

◆ Announcer Park Gui-bin (hereinafter referred to as Park Gui-bin): The sky is cloudy with fine dust. Ultra-fine dust warnings have been issued in many areas. The air quality is at its worst this winter. When can we meet the clear sky and clear air? Let's talk by calling Yoon Jong-min, general forecaster of the National Institute of Environmental Research's Air Quality Integrated Forecasting Center. Hello, forecaster.

◇ Yoon Jong-min, general forecaster of the National Institute of Environmental Research's Air Quality Integrated Forecast Center (hereinafter Yoon Jong-min): Yes, did you pack your mask? I'm Yoon Jong-min of the Air Quality Integrated Forecast Center.

◆ Park Gui Bin: Yes, nice to meet you. When I came out of the house this morning, I brought my KF94 mask.

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Good job.

◆ Park Gui Bin: Do I have to wear a mask indoors? One of our listeners texted us earlier that we turned on the air purifier indoors and said it was very bad and it just went back. I didn't even open the window. What's wrong with that? Should I use it indoors, too?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: If it's well sealed, indoor air doesn't come into the room well, but it can vary depending on the ventilation system. Indoor air is also sometimes bad compared to indoor air. However, if the indoor air is very bad like this, the indoor fine dust concentration will also increase. That's why we also recommend refraining from ventilation. So if the concentration is high and you're worried, I think it'd be better to wear a mask.

◆ Park Gui-bin: Yes, how bad is the air quality right now?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: First of all, since last weekend, due to the formation of high pressure around the Korean Peninsula, fine dust generated in Korea has not been able to be released abroad and accumulated, and fine dust from overseas has been introduced together on Monday. So far, there is a high concentration of bad and very bad in most parts of the country. And as the host said, especially in Yeongseo, Gangwon-do, Sejong, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Gwangju, and Jeonbuk in the metropolitan area, high-concentration fine dust emergency reduction measures are currently being issued.

◆ Park Gui-bin: When you say high concentration, how thick is the concentration?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: When we say high concentrations, generally, bad grades or higher are called high concentrations. It is said that the bad grade is bad when it exceeds 35㎍/㎥ based on ultrafine dust.

◆ Park Gwi-bin: That's how the standard is set in terms of figures, so you told me in terms of figures, but I can't feel it. From our point of view, we can see that it's blurry from outside. Is it at this level right now? If it's high concentration, can you see it like this?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: First of all, as you said, fine dust is visible. It can look so blurry when it's foggy. In the case of fog, unlike fine dust, it may not affect health significantly, but in the case of fine dust, the concentration is often very high when it is cloudy. So, you can estimate what you see from your perspective, but it's not accurate, so it's better to check the exact figures provided by Air Korea.

◆ Park Gui-bin: I see. How do you usually analyze the concentration of fine dust?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: In the case of fine dust analysis, for the first time, we are analyzing environmental satellite images together in real-time information observed through domestic and overseas ground monitoring networks and the sea far away from the ground where it is difficult to observe. Through that, we first analyze the distribution situation or concentration. Then, based on the weather forecast, the speed of the wind direction and the intensity of duration in case of precipitation are analyzed quantitatively, the expected movement path and concentration are simulated through AI, and the air quality forecaster finally comprehensively analyzes it and produces forecast information.

◆ Park Gui-bin: So if that exceeds a certain standard, high-concentration fine dust emergency reduction measures are taken. Then, what are the measures to implement this emergency reduction measure?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: First of all, the representative measure is the restriction on the operation of class 5 vehicles. There are shortening and adjusting the operation of workplaces or construction sites, and there are cases where operation is prohibited according to the number depending on the public two-part vehicle number, and we are implementing various measures such as cleaning the road. We are doing our best to protect the health of the people from high concentrations of fine dust. If emergency reduction measures are issued, it is the worst case, so we are implementing them to minimize the impact as much as possible through the measures we mentioned.

◆ Park Gui-bin: What is the cause of this bad air and the concentration of fine dust?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: First of all, we basically heat up in winter. Since it's cold, there's heating, and there's a lot of fine dust emissions due to human activities due to traffic. And in a situation where there is a lot of emissions, it can be divided into two main categories: fine dust from domestic emissions and fine dust from overseas. In the case of high concentrations, as in this case, these two cases occur at once and accumulate, especially in winter, the barometer around the Korean Peninsula warms up the so-called high pressure. If two fine dust accumulates together and cannot be discharged during the warm period like Samhan Saon, it typically acts as a mechanism for high concentrations.

◆ Park Gui-bin: You said that there are domestic influences and foreign inflows. So, is that foreign country Chinese?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: At the time of the forecast, it's a little difficult for us to analyze where it happened. It is difficult for me to tell you at the time of the forecast because analyzing various data through ground, aviation, satellite observation, and computer modeling is necessary to analyze the exact point of occurrence. However, as I mentioned earlier, high concentrations of fine dust usually occur frequently when foreign fine dust flows in and domestic fine dust accumulates at the same time. So, first of all, in the case of such an exact point of occurrence, we are analyzing and providing press releases, causes, and regions through the Ministry of Environment in the future. I think you'd better take a look in the future.

◆ Park Gui-bin: But I think fine dust is a problem in winter. Is there a seasonal reason for that?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: As I briefly mentioned earlier, in winter, there is the first reason why there is more fine dust due to human activities due to heating. Second, unlike summer, the surface is relatively cold, so the atmosphere is often stable without wind, so there are cases where fine dust generated cannot be resolved. In addition, when the continental high pressure develops in winter, the northwest airflow enters, which is sometimes formed by the inflow of fine dust from abroad, so there is more high concentration in winter than in other seasons.

◆ Park Gui-bin: Usually, days with bad air like this are warm. Is it all related?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, so I think it will help you understand if you combine the order of what I said earlier.

◆ Park Gui Bin: Can you combine all of them and organize them all at once?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: First of all, cold winds come in, so an inflow stream that develops continental high pressure is formed. At that time, after foreign fine dust flows into the Korean Peninsula, high pressure is formed on the Korean Peninsula, and when the day gets warm, fine dust from abroad and fine dust from domestic emissions accumulate together. After that, if the warm day continues, this means that the atmospheric congestion continues, and the resolution of this high concentration is delayed, so the general public seems to feel that the warmer the day, the more high concentration occurs.

◆ Park Gui-bin: Every year, from winter to spring, the air is very murky. So is that the usual pattern?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, we explained about three things from winter to spring, and that pattern is representative. That's why we have a seasonal management system in operation from winter to early spring. If high concentrations occur during this period, measures are being taken to minimize damage to the public, such as emergency reduction measures.

◆ Park Gui-bin: The fine dust has been quite serious for several days now. How long will this situation continue?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: This fine dust is coming in a little more from abroad today. It has been flowing in since the morning, and it is expected that the concentration will not be resolved due to the congestion until this Friday, and grades above bad will appear. However, from the weekend, the inflow of clean east wind air is also expected. In addition, precipitation is expected, so it is expected to gradually resolve from the weekend and recover to below-normal clean air quality.

◆ Park Gui-bin: First of all, you have to wear a mask by today and more people are coming in now, so we can get out of this serious situation after the weekend, right?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, it will be resolved from the weekend. In some areas, the concentration may be a little high due to residual fine dust, so we produce forecast information four times a day. I think you'd better check the latest forecast information at that time.

◆ Park Gui-bin: But as you mentioned earlier even if the air clears up again, we have to take into account that this usual pattern due to certain seasonal effects and factors and a combination of factors can be maintained until spring, so it can be repeated, right?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, that's right. This is a typical pattern in winter. Many people understand that climate change simply raises temperatures, but climate change can gradually strengthen or weaken this pattern. However, since the pattern that usually appears in winter is not shaking much, as you said, it is highly likely that this pattern will be repeated during this winter.

◆ Park Gui-bin: There were a lot of cases where the air of fine dust and ultra fine dust was bad. But the reason why I thought yesterday and today was really bad was that when I drove in the morning, I could see the sun, but I usually couldn't look straight at it. But I thought you were a master while watching. So I thought it was the moon, but there was no pattern. When I looked closely, it was the sun. That's why I felt that the fine dust was really bad. And my throat is a bit sore indoors, and these days, the level of fine dust is much worse than when the air is bad, right?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: It takes a little time to say what the concentration is statistically like. However, I know that the reduction measures were implemented once a day last year, but this year has already been two days, and depending on today's forecast, it can be extended, so I can't say it's a little unusual, but I understand that a high concentration of fine dust has occurred this time.

◆ Park Gui-bin: Even if the air was this bad in the past, you have to ventilate often. I think I've heard this before. How is it now? Can I ventilate it?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, of course, I think ventilation may be difficult right now.

◆ Park Gui Bin: All day?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, that's right. If the outdoor air quality is as bad as this, I recommend you to refrain from ventilation as much as possible. However, since air quality fluctuates by region and time, there is real-time observation data provided by Air Korea. Please check that and recommend ventilation for a short time in a relatively low concentration time zone.

◆ Yes, fine dust can be repeated until spring, so I hope you follow certain rules in your daily life. Can you point out a few things you're doing?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: The Ministry of Environment has a national behavior tip. We recommend that you respond accordingly. First, refrain from going out as much as possible in case of high-concentration fine dust, wear a mask if necessary, wash your body thoroughly after going out, and eat a lot of water and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables. And if ventilation is possible, ventilate. I recommend you to clean the room with water and pay attention to indoor air quality management.

◆ Park Gwi-bin: Yes, I see. Should I eat pork belly?

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes. It's good if you're energized. When you talk about pork belly, it's good to eat it after fine dust or hard labor during the moving season, but I don't know the medical part, so it may be difficult to answer, but please eat and cheer up.

◆ Park Gui-bin: Until now, I was Yoon Jong-min, general forecaster of the National Institute of Environmental Research's Integrated Air Quality Forecasting Center. Thank you, forecaster.

◇ Yoon Jong-min: Yes, thank you.