Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change

Via: The Japan Times

Yellow sand is dust that originates in the inland deserts of China and Mongolia and that is carried by the wind to the Japanese archipelago, most often between March and May, and occasionally during winter months, it can cause a range of health problems, including allergies and respiratory problems. (Via the Japan Times)

Summary

Annually arrival yellow sand in Japan — also referred to as Asian dust, or dust and sandstorms (DSS) — in the spring, it may causes allergic reactions in some people, which are potentially grave for high-risk groups, especially for respiratory problems. Yellow sand is dust that originates in the inland deserts of China and Mongolia and that is carried by the wind to the Japanese archipelago, most often between March and May, and occasionally during winter months. Recent research suggests that the Asian dust travels for days across the Pacific Ocean to even reach North America, according to the Environment Ministry. The industrialization of Asian cities along with the agricultural practice in China of burning rice and wheat straws as waste after harvest have exacerbated poor air quality, combining with the yellow sand to form cross-border air pollution. The dust particles contain a mixture of substances and not just minerals originally contained in yellow sand. Substances such as ammonium, sulfuric acid and nitric acid ions have been detected, suggesting the possibility of the fine particles absorbing human-made pollutants as they travel through the air. People can be allergic to either the original minerals contained in the yellow sand or human-made pollutants carried by the westerlies together with or independent of the yellow sand. According to the Japan Times, researcher cites one theory in which warming temperatures are thought to cause more Asian dust to fly over to Japan. They urges people to avoid exposure to yellow sand by minimizing outdoor activity when high levels of yellow sand are expected, and tightly fitted masks such as the N95 to protect themselves.

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Japanese media said that the Japan Meteorological Agency said that the 7th observed the arrival of dust storms, ranging from the west to the north of Japan, covering a wide area, but also includes parts of the Kanto region. This is the latest sandy weather detected since 1967 when dust was recorded in Japan. The yellow sand may causes allergic reactions in some people, which are potentially grave for high-risk groups, especially for respiratory problems.

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