YELLOW DUST

YELLOW DUSTBY SREEREMYA.SASS.PROF. SNGC

Asian Dust(alsoyellow dust,yellow sand,yellow windorChina dust storms) is a meteorological phenomenon which affects much of East Asia year round but especially during the spring months. The dust originates in the deserts ofMongolia, northern China andKazakhstanwhere high-speed surface winds and intensedust stormskick up dense clouds of fine, dry soil particles. These clouds are then carried eastward by prevailing winds and pass over China,NorthandSouth Korea, andJapan, as well as parts of theRussian Far East. Sometimes, the airborne particulates are carried much further, in significant concentrations which affect air quality as far east as the United States.

Pollutants[edit]Sulfur (anacid raincomponent), soot, ash, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants including heavy metals (such asmercury,cadmium,chromium,arsenic, lead,zinc, copper) and othercarcinogens, often accompany the dust storms, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi,pesticides,antibiotics,asbestos,herbicides, plastic ingredients, combustion products as well ashormonemimickingphthalates.

Though scientists have known that intercontinental dust plumes can ferry bacteria and viruses, "most people had assumed that the [sun's] ultraviolet light would sterilize these clouds," says microbiologist Dale W. Griffin, also with the USGS in St. Petersburg, "We now find that isn't true."[1

Effects[edit]Dust deposition inBeijingduring the 2006 season.Areas affected by the dust experience decreased visibility and the dust is known to cause a variety of health problems, including sore throat andasthmain otherwise healthy people. Often, people are advised to avoid or minimize outdoor activities, depending on severity of storms. For those already with asthma or respiratory infections, it can be fatal. The dust has been shown to increase the daily mortality rate in one affected region by 1.7%

Effects[edit]Dust deposition inBeijingduring the 2006 season.Areas affected by the dust experience decreased visibility and the dust is known to cause a variety of health problems, including sore throat andasthmain otherwise healthy people. Often, people are advised to avoid or minimize outdoor activities, depending on severity of storms. For those already with asthma or respiratory infections, it can be fatal. The dust has been shown to increase the daily mortality rate in one affected region by 1.7%

Severity[edit]Asian Dust obscures the sun overAizu-Wakamatsu, Japan on April 2, 2007Shanghaion April 3, 2007 recorded anair quality indexof 500.[3]In the US, a 300 is considered "Hazardous" and anything over 200 is "Unhealthy".Desertificationhas intensified in China, as 1,740,000km of land is "dry", it disrupts the lives of 400 million people and causes direct economic losses of 54 billion yuan ($7 billion) a year, SFA figures show.[4]