Yellow Dust

Spring has arrived at our doorstep. But instead of blossoming flowers, yellow dust is blowing its way in. The yellow dust this year will be more frequent and dense than last year, with some forecasting the worst sand storms in history.

We can’t just stay cooped up in our houses to avoid it, however. The distribution and fashion industry has come up with products to protect your throat and skin just in the nick of time.

The yellow dust isn’t just about sandy winds, but it contains heavy metals and all kinds of harmful substances that make the eyes and throat sting, causing many diseases. So on days when the yellow dust is severe, it’s best to wear a mask, sunglasses, or a scarf outdoors.

The golfing apparel brand Elord has manufactured a chic mask called, “Maff,” which blocks both dust and UV rays. Outdoors you can wear it like a flu mask and prevent breathing in yellow dusk and pollen, and indoors you can wrap it around your neck like a scarf. Yuhan-Kimberly’s new “Kleenex Paper Mask” and 3M’s organic mask for children are also fresh on the shelves.

When going out with an infant, place a cover over the stroller or use a windscreen on a normal baby belt. Premiere Jour’s Elefun windscreen baby belt (89,000 won) comes with a windbreaker inside the belt’s front pocket to whip out on windy and sandy days.

In convenience stores like Family Mart, you can get a yellow dust mask made of Coolmax at their Yellow Dust Sale. Auction, d&shop, Interpark, and other Internet shopping malls sell air-filtering charcoal or plants, air cleaners, yellow dust-blocking tape and various other products that ward off yellow dust indoors at a cheap price.

Another important yellow dust-tackling measure is to clean your hands, mouth, and the inside of your nose often. Change your soap, mouthwash, and tissues to antibacterial equivalents.

Hand sanitizer CJ Lion’s “Oh! So Clean” and Oxy’s “Dettol Hand Wash” have pump dispensers that spout foam, for extra antibacterial and disinfectant effects.

Choongwae Pharma Corporation’s “Clean Nose Plus” and Yuyu’s “Physiomer” help clean off the yellow dust, pollen, and bacteria buildup inside your nose. After an excursion, it’s best to rinse your eyes with a saline solution or eye drops.

During sandstorm season, you must first wipe off make-up and dust with an oil or cream-type cleanser, followed by a thorough washing with a foam cleanser or all-natural soap. Your skin may become prone to breakouts because of the dust, so use a pore-refining product. Because your skin has had a rough beating with the gritty winds, avoid using harsh scrubs or skin-peeling products.

You should also wipe furniture surfaces frequently. “Steam-vacuums” remove minute dust particles and other pollutants easily. It’s good to spray a disinfectant on chairs, children’s toys, and desktops too.

imsoo@donga.com