“We are seeing an increase in demand for air-related products as yellow and fine dust are becoming part of our daily lives.” (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, May 9 (Korea Bizwire) – With the airborne concentration of yellow dust and other particulate matter worsening every year, Koreans are increasingly willing to open their wallets to get their hands on fresh oxygen.
According to online shopping site Gmarket, sales of oxygen-related products from January to April 28 increased by a factor of 2.5 times compared to the same period in 2013. Sales of canned oxygen increased by 76 percent and oxygen generators by 5.1 times over the past three years.
Canned oxygen refers to portable canisters of fresh oxygen, which are small enough to fit into a purse or briefcase, and allow consumers to benefit from clean air whenever the need arises. Oxygen generators remove nitrogen and pollutants from the air, and provide highly enriched oxygen in return.
Inhabitants of the Seoul metropolitan area were most susceptible to air pollution. Gyeonggi Province (30 percent) and Seoul (24 percent) accounted for more than half of the total sales of canned oxygen. Ulsan and Jeju accounted for the lowest percentage of sales, with only one percent each.
Ticket Monster, another e-commerce platform, experienced a 65 percent increase in sales of canned oxygen in April compared to April 2015. Sales of air-purifying plants increased by 75 percent.
A portable device that measures levels of fine dust, carbon dioxide, and even humidity was popular on 11ST, another shopping portal. Portable water purifiers, air cleaners, and facemasks were also among the most-purchased products.
Inhabitants of the Seoul metropolitan area were most susceptible to air pollution. Gyeonggi Province (30 percent) and Seoul (24 percent) accounted for more than half of the total sales of canned oxygen.
“We are seeing an increase in demand for air-related products as yellow and fine dust are becoming part of our daily lives. To meet this demand, new products are continuously being released in the market,” said a Gmarket official.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
