Yellow Dust from Asia Blankets Japan, Raising Health Concerns

Yellow Dust Blankets Japan, Raising Health Concerns

Yellow dust, carried by westerly winds from mainland Asia, is expected to continue spreading over a wide area of Japan, including the country's east, through March 26. This phenomenon can worsen hay fever and asthma symptoms for many individuals.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the dust originated from a low-pressure system near the Gobi Desert, straddling China and Mongolia, around March 22. It subsequently reached Japan, with observations on March 25 in areas like Kinki and northern Kyushu. In Osaka, visibility was reduced to 8 kilometers due to the dust.

While the yellow dust season typically lasts from March to May, peaking in April, there has been a significant decrease in dust observation days in Japan. Associate Professor of Meteorology Reiji Kimura of Tottori University's Arid Land Research Center attributes this to afforestation projects near China's deserts and a reduction in the amount of dust itself.

However, the health concerns associated with yellow dust remain. The particles have uneven surfaces and collect harmful substances like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides as they pass over China's coastal industrial areas. Associate Professor of Environmental Medicine Kazunari Onishi of St. Luke's International University has linked the dust to not only worsened respiratory diseases and allergies but also increased heart attacks and strokes.

The dispersion of yellow dust coincides with hay fever season, raising further concerns. Onishi emphasizes the importance of taking thorough measures to protect oneself, such as wearing nonwoven masks without gaps, as animal experiments have shown that the combination of yellow dust and pollen can lead to more severe allergic reactions.