Fear of air pollution reflected in Google search and shopping mall sales

By Park Sae-jin Posted : July 2, 2018, 16:47 Updated : July 2, 2018, 16:47

[Courtesy of Lotte Himart]


SEOUL -- As the chance of witnessing clear blue skies in Seoul has become rare especially due to worsening particle pollution, South Koreans are desperately searching online to avoid the hazardous effect of the microscopic matter.

Although larger particles are filtered in the nose and throat thanks to mucus and cilia, particulate matter, a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that get into the air, can cause health problems in respiratory organs. Particles which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers can penetrate lungs to enter other organs.

According to environment ministry data, all 25 particulate matter monitoring posts in Seoul showed particle pollution exceeded recommended safety levels throughout April, raising a public safety alert.

Google Korea said Monday that the most popular keyword searched in South Korea during the first half of this year was "Particulate Matter" (미세먼지 in Korean).

The public scare also lifted sales of air purifiers in shopping malls. Emart, South Korea's largest hypermarket chain, said sales of air purifiers in the first five months this year rose 135 percent on-year. Cloth dryer sales were up 284 percent on-year during the same period.

Mothers with toddlers were very concerned about air pollution. "I already have two air purifiers at home but I am thinking of getting another because my four-year-old son keeps coughing," Lee Jeong-ok, a 37-year-old housewife, told Aju News.
 
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