Toxic Haze Lingers Over Seoul, Central Parts

The Seoul metropolitan area and some central parts were blanketed by toxic haze for two days in a row.

On Wednesday, the density of ultrafine PM2.5 particles reached nearly 100 ㎍/㎥ in some parts of Seoul in the morning, putting the health of commuters at risk.

The figure is four times higher than World Health Organization standard of 25 ㎍/㎥.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are especially vulnerable.

The Environment Ministry said the air mass around the Korean Peninsula is not moving as there is no wind, which prevents the dust from being blown away, but the pollution will ease when westerly winds start up on Friday afternoon.

Looking at fine PM10 particles, people in the Seoul metropolitan area have had the worst March in five years. The number of days when the average concentration of PM10 stood at a "bad" 81 to 150 ㎍/㎥ was seven in Seoul and nine in Gyeonggi Province this month. The average for the past five years was 5.4 days.