Fine Dust & China

[Anchor Lead]

Scientists believe that a much of the fine particulate matter polluting Korean air actually originated in China. Beijing has steadfastly denied the claim. Now, a team of Korean scientists has found proof supporting the assumption. The researchers proved scientifically that the firecrackers used during the Lunar New Year's holiday in China actually affect the fine dust level in Korea.

[Pkg]

Firecrackers go off and a thick smoke blankets the city center. China has suffered from so-called "firecracker smog" every Lunar New Year's holiday. During the last Lunar New Year's Day, January 28th, the level of super fine dust in Beijing soared 25 times higher than the World Health Organization allowance. Two days later, the super fine particulate concentration in Korea spiked to a level two times higher than the average. China is suspected of having caused the spike, but now a team of Korean researchers has found proof. Monitoring by the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science found that together with super fine particulate matters, the concentration of potassium, used as the oxidizer in firecrackers, soared more than seven times normal. The scientists back-tracked the air currents at the time and found that the air from the areas around Beijing and Manchuria headed directly to the Korean Peninsula. That proved by studying China's firework tradition on Lunar New Year's Day that fine dust generated in China actually affected Korea. Experts have estimated that 30 to 50% of the fine dust in Korea is blown in from China. However, the Chinese government has been denying it, citing a lack of direct evidence.

[Soundbite] Lee Sang-il(Korea Univ. of Science and Technology) : "Satellite images or simulations are indirect methods. But this study is objective evidence that shows China's influence through direct measurement."

The research team expects to use the latest study findings to gain China's cooperation in reducing the fine dust levels in Northeast Asia.