Overexposure to fine dust caused an increase in asthma patients, a study showed Tuesday, causing concern among the public over the influx of pollutants from home and abroad.

According to the study conducted by Song Dae-jin's team at Korea University Guro Hospital, the exposure to coarse dust particles, also known as PM10, that exceed the daily average resulted in an increase of asthma patients by 27 percent.
  (Yonhap)
The study also showed that two hours of exposure to PM10 resulted in more patients visiting hospital to receive treatment for the respiratory disease.

PM10 is fine dust of 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter, while fine particles, also known as PM2.5, are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and can only be seen with an electron microscope

Fine dust has been known to cause various respiratory diseases and undermine the body's immune system. This study was the first to be conducted to find the epidemiological association between fine dust and human ailments.
  (Yonhap)
The Seoul government has been making efforts to step up regional cooperation with neighboring countries to fight air pollution and to improve air quality. (Yonhap)