[DiaryPoint = Reporter Eom Ju-yong] Fine dust concentrations are expected to remain at 'bad' levels through the morning of October 31 in the Seoul metropolitan area, the Yeongseo region of Gangwon Province, the Chungcheong region, and the Honam region. Since the forecast falls on a weekend, when outdoor activity typically peaks, children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are advised to cut back on outdoor activities in the morning.
South Korea's National Institute of Environmental Research's Air Quality Forecasting Center said that from early morning, fine dust originating overseas would move in along western and northwestern winds, entering first through the western coastal areas before shifting southeast. Accordingly, the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeongseo, Chungcheong, and Honam regions are forecast to see elevated levels through the morning, the Yeongnam region in the morning, and Jeju through midday.
Check Western Region Levels Before Heading Out in the Morning
While daily average concentrations in the Seoul area and the Chungcheong and Honam regions may ease to 'moderate' levels overall, 'bad' readings could still appear during the morning hours. In the afternoon, cleaner northwesterly air currents are expected to gradually lower concentrations across most regions.
Healthy adults can still manage short trips or light activity, but it's best to avoid morning sessions of prolonged walking, running, or cycling that increase breathing rate. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma should check both the fine dust forecast and real-time readings for their area via Air Korea's monitoring service.
Ventilate Briefly, Avoiding the Worst Hours
Even on days with 'bad' fine dust forecasts, ventilation is still necessary to clear indoor carbon dioxide and pollutants generated while cooking. However, it's best to avoid ventilating during the morning hours when outdoor levels are high, and instead open windows on opposite sides briefly when concentrations ease later in the day.
Air Korea typically recommends ventilating three times a day between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. On days with a 'bad' forecast like this one, it's advisable to wait until real-time readings drop before airing out a space, and to avoid opening windows that face busy roads with higher pollution.
Run Air Purifiers With Windows Closed
Air purifiers are more effective at reducing indoor fine dust when run with windows closed rather than during ventilation. Use units equipped with HEPA filters, and check filter replacement schedules as well as dust buildup around the intake vents.
Grilling and frying can significantly increase indoor fine dust levels, so be sure to turn on a range hood or ventilation fan while cooking. After returning from outside, washing hands and face and shaking dust off clothing and bags should be the first things on the to-do list for the rest of the day.