Coming to Korea! Should I Prepare for Bad Air?

More and more people are learning about the pollution problems currently plaguing Korea. They want to know what they can bring, or prepare before coming. Hopefully, I can provide a few ideas.

I divide the inquisitive into two groups of people: Those who will live on a US Army base, and those who will live in a Korean home. 

D.O.D. / US Service Members on a Base

If you will be living in a US Army base, you'll likely be living in a 110-volt energy world, like back home, but you should try to find out. You might even have 220v plugs, in addition to the 110v outlets.

USA style 110 volt mains power outlet

I have never been there, but I am told the PX sells "Blue" brand air purifiers. Do your research as to the size they cover, and how many you may need for your home. I do not believe the models they sell have onboard digital PM2.5 meters, but I am not able to see updates as to the product they carry, to be sure. If they do not, then please consider purchasing an air monitor ($40+) to track the air quality in your home. See this post for more information. You might also order an air purifier like a Winix 5300 or 5500 from Amazon. These are great models for up to an 11-pyung space, such as a large bedroom or small living room. They have useful features, but they lack digital displays for PM2.5 dust. Oddly, you can purchase these 110v Winix models more inexpensively than Korea, but shipping may bring prices closer to equal what Koreans pay for 220v purifiers. It's up to you, but you might want to have one ready, or bring one with you when you arrive. You can always add more later. The larger 110v purifiers are a mixed bag of overpriced units, and many small units that make grandiose claims about room sizes they clean. The purifiers in the USA tend toward two markets: allergy sufferers and smokers. Avoid the "ionizer" types, which have no HEPA filter, as they're really meant for smokers, and may spew dangerous ozone, anyway. Korean stores will sell larger air purifiers at prices that are a better value. Not inexpensive -- but cheaper than you'll pay for a large air purifier from home, so if you also have 220v outlets, you will want to buy from here.

All Others Living in Korean Homes

If you are living in a Korean home, you will find 220v power from the power mains outlets in every case. Don't bother bringing an air purifier, as you'll waste money and space to bring it with you, and you'll need a converter (which will cost, and waste energy).

220v Korean Plug

Just buy a purifier when you get here. Know that, in most instances, you'll find much better prices online. Some models may only be cheaper at Hi-Mart or E-mart if they are the main distributor (Coway and Dyson are currently two examples), or if there is a special sale. You might want to learn the English side of using Korean websites like Coupang and Gmarket. Unfortunately, many of the other good sites lack any English at all. Even with the English sites, you may need help registering, and will likely need an address when you finally do. But, you can still look at it and see prices. Also, it never hurts to ask if your new boss will be providing an air purifier as part of the appliances in your home. It's rare, but it does happen for a lucky few.

Everyone Can Buy Masks In Advance

If you are coming from overseas, you can buy a few masks to have handy, until you find how to get them here. See my blog about various masks, or go ahead and purchase some from Amazon to bring with you. A popular adult mask that I love is the 3M 9322K, but they sell under a different model number in other countries. In the USA, these are sold as the 3M 9211.  A side note -- 3M also sells the 9210K (N95) and 9310K (N80) at quite a bit less, but without the valve.  The 9310K is one of my favorite all-time masks, and I use it to exercise in.  These cheaper non-valve masks are indentical to the valved versions in all other ways.

At left is the 9322K.  They are a bit industrial looking, but they are EXCELLENT masks. They are rated as KN94/N95, but they have been independently tested to filter up to 97% of dust. Comfort is posh. I wear mine for a week, or until they become dirty, stinky, or messy. I also like to trim the head straps and re-tie the sides for ears, but that's my personal preference. Some cheaper masks can be very uncomfortable, or not seal well. If a mask doesn't seal well, it's useless. Others may want to be a little more stylish. In that case, take a look at my masks page and my favorite masks blog post. Probably the easiest to get quickly, after arriving, is the Dobu Mask, sold at 7/11 stores. They are half of the price online, once you figure out how to buy there. Speaking of children, you can find masks for kids and adults at the DAISO (dollar stores) in Korea, but quality varies.  Also, please see my post about how to protect infants and toddlers from fine dust.

Hopefully this post has helped. Chances are you've already started researching and trying to learn about living here. That's good. Please read through my other blog posts to learn about subjects like airing-out the house, mold, purifiers, air detectors, and more. Good luck!

My Favorite Masks

I have been wearing masks for several years, now. People ask me what my favorite masks are to combat PM2.5 fine dust. Keep in mind, everyone has a different face, and different physical issues to consider, such as age or even pregnancy. I'm a 6'2" tall (187cm) male, but here is what I like, and use every day. You will note that all of these masks are disposable. I have yet to find a non-disposable mask that I like. My whole family tried Vogmask, and we found them expensive, hard to breathe through, hot, and the valve to be near-useless. I have not tried Respro, but I would guess they must get hot in summer. I have tried Xiaomi's non-disposable, but it does not fit a single member of my family (I have an unused one for sale, if you like it). I still prefer disposables. Manufacturers say you should throw away a mask with each use (of course they would), but they are also covering their rear-end because people may use these for industrial purposes. For typical Korea fine dust wear, I have found after 8 to 10 hours of use is a good barometer for when to change. If the air is not so bad, you might go longer. If the air is particularly awful, you might go less. I have found the 3M 9322K+ Aura, listed at the bottom, can go a bit longer. Masks eventually become dirty/ugly or start to smell bad, even though they may still work. Please click the links for some online purchase options, or search the model numbers on your favorite sites (you might find a better deal). Here are my favorite masks: 

Lynnea Elsasser introduced me to the DobuMask, purchased
at 7-11, CU, GS25, and online.  Available in black or white.

1. The Dobu Mask DM2-203V If you are looking for a solid first-time purchase, and want to try a decent mask before you order something in bulk online, you can buy the Dobu Mask at any Korean 7/11, CU, or GS25 convenience store. The masks are re-branded and sold as "Anti Dust Mask" with a white package at GS25, and in a dark package with yellow highlights, named "Pharma Bio Mask" at CU stores. The Dobu logo is still imprinted on the sides of the mask.

It's twice the price (about 2,900 won) individually at these stores, but if you like this mask, you can purchase it for about half that online (15,000 to 17,000 won for 10) -- and even cheaper in large quantities. There is also a non-valve version sold for a bit less. The Dobu Mask is very comfortable, and once you press and form the nose and edges to your face, it seals very well. The ear straps are probably the most comfortable I've felt. The Dobu Mask 203V is a KF94 mask, so it's plenty of protection for the worst bad air days we typically experience. US Military members will be happy to know that this mask is available in black or white. Some also find the black color is more appealing or fashionable. It's a better fit to Western faces than many of the masks sold in Korea, and slides into a pocket easily. I have a large Germanic nose, and it pinches the end a smidge, but should be find for most users. If there are any negatives to this mask, it's not really the greatest for my glasses, as ear straps tend to cause my glasses to slide off my ears, so i'm often pushing them back up. Typical of most masks, it may also fog glasses in colder months.

2. The 3M 9310K+ Aura I have a 1-hour commute to work, every day. For this purpose, I prefer the 3M 9310K+ respirator mask. This is a long-term comfortable mask that is easy to breathe through, seals great with foam nose-piece, and is not so darned hot. The straps are around-the-head type, so it does not pull on my ears, or cause my glasses to slide off. This type of strap is not good for short-term runs down the street for a bottle of milk, but for my long commutes, it's great. You can snip the straps in the center, and re-tie to the side, for ears. Sadly, this mask is only sold online at sites like Gmarket or Coupang, but prices are cheap at 20 masks for about 23,000 won. A respirator mask like the 9310K+ has a wider 3-piece front, which allows more surface area for air to pass through the filter. This makes for easier breathing for the elderly or pregnant ladies. The 9310K+ is an N80/KF80 mask, which is not the highest level of protection, but don't let that turn you off. A lower N/KF number means it's easier to breathe through, and usually cooler on those hot days. Also, it's enough protection for most days you'll encounter. I wear it any day where the AQI is below about 170 to 175, or 98 to 102 ug/m3. After that, I either stay inside, or switch to a KF94/N95 mask, such as the 3M 9210, which is the same low-cost version of this mask in N95 (and identical to the 9322, minus the exit valve).

I should note that, during allergy season, I usually go with one of my KF94/N95 masks, if I am experiencing allergy issues. For most long-commute days, however, the 9310K+ is hard to beat. I also exercise wearing this mask. Great for those days when the gym is full of bad air, as it offers room to breathe!

Me wearing the 9322K+ Aura while enjoying

Ham radio on a mountain.

3. The 3M 9322K+ Aura 3M 9322K is a KF94/N95 mask that offers the highest level of value protection and comfort for those who want to stop as much dust as possible, or go out on really bad days, yet still be able to breathe easily. It has a very functional exit valve, and seals perfectly, like other 3M Aura masks do. It also has behind-the-head straps (you can cut and re-tie for ears), so it's better for longer commutes, unless you make that modification. There is also an N99 version of this mask sold for a higher price, the 9332K+ (almost same number). The differences in the two are not worth the price, for our uses, IMHO. I saw an independent lab test which had the 9322K+ filtering 97%, so paying more for the 99% filtering of the 9332K+ over the 9322K+ isn't worth it, except maybe for those with terrible allergies, or if you are wanting to wear a mask to keep from catching sickness. The valve on this mask is very functional -- better than other masks. It is a decent choice for people who want to avoid fogging glasses in winter, but as with about any mask, it's not perfect. Prices for the 9322K+ are around 23,000 won for 10 masks. Here is a detailed video I made about this mask:

Additional notes: Men with beards might want to consider the 3M 9105 V-Flex mask. They kind of make one look like a duck, but have a large area to pull over the face. Pregnant women and the eldery might also try the 3M 9102S V-Flex, or what I refer to as the "duck mask." It looks the same, but is a bit smaller, and is an easier to breathe through KF80/N80. The 9102 is the same, but a little larger.

4.  For kids, I've become a fan of this Happy Home Kleenex Dust Mask 유한양행 해피홈 크리넥스 황사마스크 .  I purchased a set of 3 of these at a local pharmacy for 4,000 won.  Unfortunately, they aren't any cheaper online, and I have not found large boxes yet.  The reason why this mask is recommended is because it seals, and actually fits my daughter's high nose bridge (common among non-Korean kids, and kids with dual-race parents).  This mask comes with a gasket on the inside made of the same paper material as the outside.  Although the edges may pop out, this mask is actually sealing, because the gasket inside is quite deep, and holds against the face.  I was very happy to find this mask, and find it is relatively inexpensive locally. They fit on ears, and are KF80, which I consider good enough up to 100 ug/m3 (or 175 AQI).  By that point, your kids should be inside, anyway.  I prefer KF80/N80 masks for children, because they are easier to breathe through, and doctors feel they provide enough protection.  I should also note that this mask comes in 3 sizes (child, regular, and large).  The lower-right circle shows 소형, which is for children.  중형 is regular size.  Please note that I would not get the N94 Kleenex mask, which has a more futuristic look.  That mask was extremely difficult to breathe through, and I was not a fan.  Sometimes they are sold along-side these masks. They are also sold on Gmarket.  Always check for best price, and sometimes sets can be combined, or sold combined, for cheaper shipping.

AQI vs. PM2.5 ug/m3: why the numbers differ

One of the more confusing aspects of understanding air quality involves the different numbers and metrics used to determine how good/bad the air is. What exacerbates the problem is that foreigners in Korea naturally gravitate toward air quality smartphone apps created in their native tongue. These International apps are usually in English, and rely on AQI (Air Quality Index) measurement numbers, while local Korean apps, signs at bus stops, and local news reports, use a number in ug/m3 (Micrograms per Cubic Meter of Air). The large variance in numbers confuses users who are unaware of the differences, and it creates some odd looks when you quote a high AQI number to Koreans, who see the PM2.5 ug/m3 number on their app is much lower.

If you have ever looked at your app, and become confused by the wide gap in numbers compared to Korean apps, then this blog entry is for you. Please note that we discuss this a lot on the Clean Air Ideas in Korea Facebook Group, as well. Join us!

Before I continue, here is a simple graphic for those who just want a straight numbers comparison between Base PM2.5 in ug/m3 used by Koreans and those handy personal Air Quality Monitors, and AQI on most English apps. Some color zones are divided to show color differences between Korea (left) and US AQI (right) for that same measurement zone:

Direct comparison of PM2.5 in ug/m3 with Air Quality Index (AQI) metric.

I must add a quick note that the zones for PM10 dust are completely different, and the numbers do not equal those of the PM2.5 measurement. You can type those numbers in here, if you choose PM10 as the pollutant, to learn what they are. Or, just refer to your favorite app.

What is AQI?

Apps such as AQICN, AirVisual, and Plume use AQI (Air Quality Index) as their barometer for air quality in a given area. A large "pro" is that apps are available in English, and are popular for their world-wide coverage. A "con" is that these apps rely on 3rd party data, and some may include sensor data from individual home sensors, possibly of random and/or inferior placement. In my experience, updates from Korean sources to most English apps are sometimes delayed. If you insist on an English app, please see MiseGo, which is an English copy of MiseMise -- a trusted Korean app which uses excellent sensors (MiseGo sometimes requires a manual hit of the refresh arrow, to update, but results are correct). Or, you can view the original raw data in Korean or English at the AirKorea website.  They also have an app, but at this time, it is not a good one.

Let's talk more about AQI.  According to AirNow, a website by the US Environmental Protection Agency: "The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health .Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country."

In my personal opinion, AQI is a superior measurement, and I wish Korea would use it. The AQI number encompasses a range of potential pollutants, and the numbers are driven by what particular pollutants are the worst. There are days when PM10 might be greater than PM2.5, such as in the spring, when dust traditionally blows in from deserts in Western Asia. The simple truth, however, is that Koreans are used to seeing the PM2.5 and PM10 measurements split-up and monitored separately. 

Here are all of the AQI breakpoints for all pollutants, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

What are ug/m3, PM2.5, and PM10?

The definition of ug/m3: Micrograms per cubic meter of air. It is a unit of measurement over time (usually an hour). 

The Korean apps, bus stop signs, and television reports generally give a ug/m3 result denoting what the ug/m3 was over the past hour. It's important to emphasize that all of the apps (AQI included) give results as an average from the previous hour -- they are NOT in real-time.

So why is the ug/m3 sometimes given in PM2.5 or PM10? First, lets understand what the difference is. Here is a nice definition from Airveda:

"PM10: The coarse particles are between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (from about 25 to 100 times thinner than a human hair). These particles are called PM10 (we say "P M ten", which stands for Particulate Matter up to 10 micrometers in size). These particles cause less severe health effects mostly in the upper respiratory tract. These consist of smoke, dirt and dust from factories, farming and roads as well as mold, spores and pollen. They are made from crushing and grinding rocks and soil then blown by wind.

PM2.5. The small particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers (more than 100 times thinner than a human hair). These particles are called PM2.5 (we say "P M two point five", as in Particulate Matter up to 2.5 micrometers in size). These consist of toxic organic compounds and heavy metals. They are made from automobile exhaust, burning garbage and landfill, smelting and processing of metals."

MiseMise Korea Air Quality App

There are several great Korean apps for air quality, and although I feel AQI is a better overall metric, I have gravitated toward using Korean apps, because they are far faster at updating, and more reliable than the English apps. This was not always the case, but Korean interest in air quality has resulted in some excellent tools for smartphones.

If you are someone who craves simplicity, does not read Korean, and just wants an accurately fast app to show you Korean air quality, then for Android, MiseMise is hard to beat. Apple users look here. Its simple interface is cute, fun, and obvious. You can also read the base PM10 (미세 먼지) and PM2.5 (초 미세 먼지) numbers in very small text, at the bottom.

Another great Korean app is CAI by Softworx. Apple users find CAI here. I love CAI because it's very detailed, and even provides a link to AQICN for those days when I want to look at the AQI map for South Korea. A problem with it, however, is that it defaults to a poor scale for quality, and you have to change it to WHO 6 in the menus, which requires navigating Korean. MiseMise and Misego are just easier. CAI and MiseMise apps have custom smartphone widgets, and update quickly.

Confusing colors and differing color zones

Are you prepared for more confusion? Different countries have different opinions as to what number ranges and colors are used to measure air quality. To add more gasoline to the fire, the goalposts seem to change every few years.

China, for example, has its own AQI measurement zones, and they are far more lax than US AQI. If you buy an air purifier such as a Xiaomi from China, it will think a PM2.5 ug/m3 of 75 is still within the green zone, because China's measurements say so. According to international measurements, 75 is considered quite high, and is already well into the red zone. For a fun read, see this article discussing the diplomatic history of how the US Embassy air quality monitor in Beijing inadvertently angered the Chinese government. 

Korea also has a different standard than other countries. The good news is that public pressure (I assume) has caused the government to modify its zones to more closely match international numbers. Unfortunately, Koreans culturally use different colors to describe air quality. To Koreans, "blue air" is considered better than "green air," so you'll see that air purifiers will light-up blue within their range of 0-15 ug/m3, which is the current Korean "blue air" zone. The good news is that this part of their metric is easy to follow, and if you keep your air purifier light blue, you are in perfectly decent air. Korea's "green zone" also differs, a bit.

Whatever air quality measurement you choose to use, be vigilant. Know the air quality and be prepared!

Don't Forget to Exchange Your Air!

Don't Forget to Exchange Your Air!

One of the worst mistakes people make is to keep their windows closed, never exchanging the inside air for what's outside.

It's unhealthy to keep the windows closed for too long.

One of the first reactions to the poor air in Korea is to keep the windows closed, hoping to keep the dust out. This is usually successful, if you own an air purifier, but did you know that neglecting to exchange the air in your home can make you very sick, as well?

If you live in Korea, you should make a habit of opening all of your windows and airing-out your home for about 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. It sounds crazy, right? Why let all of that dirty air into the home, after spending time and energy to clean it? Believe it or not -- it's essential that you do.

I am from the United States. I grew up in the state of Iowa, where it's not uncommon for the air to stay "green" most days out of the year. Even though the air is fresh outside, and there is no worry of toxic dust invading the lives of Iowans, the new homes there are required by law to have an air exchanger. Why? This is because homes have become so "tight" that the fresh air is often not brought in. When fresh air is not allowed in, then VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds -- also called TVOC's) can build, causing sickness.

VOC's come from flooring, wallpaper, glue used in pressed-wood shelves, desks, and other furniture, paints, foam, and books with lots of color photos. Those ink-filled children's books can be nasty for this, in large amounts. We moved our books out of our daughter's sleeping area, because of them. 

Avoid Buying Cheap Furniture

Some of the most harmful products you can add to your home are pressed-wood and melamine furniture. Those cheap laminate shelves and closets sold on G-Market or Coupang, or that corner furniture shop? Avoid them. Spend a little money on a trusted maker, and do your research as to VOC emissions levels. As of a few years ago, Korea allows a higher level of VOC furniture emissions than countries like the USA. Some furniture is actually rated for emissions, and it's something you should pay attention to. The simple way to avoid the problem is buy solid wood products from larger stores like IKEA, Costco, or E-Mart. They have some quality control. Unknown brand furniture sold online can come from anywhere, and may not even be safe to have in your home.

“Have you ever heard of Koreans refer to "sick house syndrome?" That's caused by VOC's. A mistake people make is to shut their doors and windows, and not air-out the house, to keep the dust away. The VOC's will actually affect you faster than the dust.”

By the way, airing-out the house helps keep mold growth down, as well. VOC's are something green things (plants and mold) consume like candy. It encourages growth. Mold is a little different. It releases harmful CO2 which hurts our bodies.

"Mold, like many other diseases such as cancer thrives in high concentrations of carbon dioxide and acidic environments. It is one of the most highly developed and advanced organisms known on the planet and knows exactly how to break down and eventually kill its host.

Mold simply cannot survive in a high alkaline and oxygen environment. If you understand these facts, you can then get on the road to recovery by implementing a health protocol that includes detoxing with a high alkaline diet, extra oxygen and mold and carbon dioxide avoidance." -- moldsafesolutions.com

But all is not lost -- just air-out your home 3 or 4 times a day (depending on if you're there, of course) and get some fresh air in. But that air is full of dust -- right? Well, yes, but if you have an air purifier, just run it on high for 15 minutes while and after you air it out, to clean. On a really bad day, you might even wear a mask inside while airing the house, or do as we do, and air just a few rooms at a time while hiding in the other rooms.

Commercial air exchange ERV device with filtration

Or better yet, you can buy (or build) a filtered fan/air purifier into a window or vent and get fresh, filtered air in that way. There are also commercially available air-exchange solutions, if you contact an HVAC company, but they are not cheap.

Add Plants

Lastly, think about adding several plants to your home, to help keep VOC's at bay. Plants consume VOC's at night. E-mart is one of the best places to buy affordable greenery that both works, and looks beautiful. This Ted Talks recommends six large plants per person.