To examine the health effects of yellow sand, Fukuoka City is now recruiting Yellow Sand Monitors to respond to mobile phone surveys before and after yellow sand storms. Yellow sand is the phenomenon in which dust from the deserts of the Asian continent is carried eastward to Japan, and it is claimed that bacteria and fungi accompanying the dust have adverse health effects. The City has decided to adopt a monitor system to explore the relationship between dust concentrations and health effects.
The City will conduct surveys for one year starting this March by questioning Monitors before and after dust storms about symptoms experienced and precautions taken. Interested persons can apply by sending a blank e-mail from their mobile phones to entry@fukuoka-city.jp, which will grant them access to a registration screen. The City aims to register 1,000 monitors and applications will be accepted until Feb. 28. The Environmental Conservation Section hopes to use the data to develop a yellow sand alert system. Inquiries may be directed to the Section at 092-733-5386. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun Jan. 10
