Korean urban legend states too many options by which one could fall victim to killer electric fans.  Some of these include the belief that:

-          The fan creates a vacuum in a sealed room thereby causing suffocation due to lack of oxygen.
-          The fan slices up all the oxygen and therefore causes suffocation.
-          The fan uses up the supply of oxygen causing suffocation.
-          The fan pointed at the face will prevent oxygen from being inhaled.
-          The fan contributes to hypothermia, extreme low body temperature, essentially freezing the victim.
-          The fan prevents the skin from breathing and therefore suffocating the victim
-          The fan contributes to oxygen displacement in general.

Of course to most of us, these are simply absurd.  So let’s ignore the fantastic (pun intended), and discuss a rational health safety concern.  There is a point where a fan is ineffective due to being operated within a sealed room without proper ventilation.  To most people this is common sense of course.  It’s the concept of forced convection cooling; using a fan to move the air from a colder outside air concentration to a hotter indoor concentration or exhausted from the hotter indoor concentration.  It is Newton’s Law of Cooling which describes the rate of heat loss of a body and contributes the rate of cooling to be proportionate to the surrounding environment.  Using Newton’s Law we can reason that it is not probable that a portable electric fan could not effect a change in the ambient temperature great enough or quick enough to cause hypothermia.  The converse of this would be hyperthermia.

Definition: Hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation. Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. When the elevated body temperatures are sufficiently high, hyperthermia is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent disability or death.

Hyperthermia is the only plausible area to be concerned, but I fail to have found it documented amongst Korean cautions about portable electronic fan use or their contribution to fatalities (by fan).  It follows however that if a sealed room, already at a greater temperature than the body can withstand, is running an electronic fan it would not be effective in cooling the body or the sealed room.  Portable electronic fans simple move air, pushing the air, no matter the temperature.  Therefore, a fan would simple move the hot air over a body attempting to cool itself.  Without replenishing water, the human body will suffer of course.

EPA Excessive Heat Events Guidebook, Appendix B: Use of Portable Electric Fans during Excessive Heat Events, “Don’t use a portable electric fan in a closed room without windows or doors open to the outside.”

EPA Excessive Heat Events Guidebook, Appendix C: Excessive Heat EventsGuidebook in Brief, “Don’t direct the flow of portable electric fans toward [you] when room temperature is hotter than 90°f.”

It is important [for believers of Korean urban legend] to understand the explanation of why this is not recommended.  To reiterate, when the body temperature reaches about 40°C, (104°F) or if the affected person is unconscious or showing signs of confusion, hyperthermia can occur.  Hyperthermia is considered a medical emergency that requires treatment in a proper medical facility. In a hospital, more aggressive cooling measures are available, including intravenous hydration, gastric lavage with iced saline, and even hemodialysis to cool the blood.

EPA Excessive Heat Events Guidebook, Page 37, 4.2.2 Provide information on proper use of portable electric fans during EHEs, “The TWG also strongly recommends that, as part of a public education program, cities emphasize that portable electric fans are not the simple cooling solution they appear to be. Because of the limits of conduction and convection, using a portable electric fan alone when heat index temperatures exceed 99°f actually increases the heat stress the body must respond to by blowing air that is warmer than the ideal body temperature over the skin surface (American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs, 1997; CDC, 2004c). In these conditions, portable electric fans provide a cooling effect by evaporating sweat. The increased circulation of hot air and increased sweat evaporation can, however, speed the onset of heat-attributable conditions (e.g., heat exhaustion).”

The Guidebook goes on to explain prevention; “Thus, portable electric fans need to be used with caution and under specific circumstances during an EHE, such as exhausting hot air from a room or drawing in cooler air through an open window. Generally, portable electric fans may not be a practical and safe cooling mechanism during an EHE in homes that are already hot and are not air-conditioned; their use should be discouraged unless the fans are bringing in significantly cooler air from outside the dwelling. If a resident must stay in these dwellings, and if they are unable to access an air-conditioned environment, safer cooling approaches would include taking frequent cool showers and drinking cool, nonalcoholic fluids (e.g., ice water). Because of the importance of this issue, and the contradictory messages people may have received about using portable electric fans during EHEs, Appendix B provides a series of guidelines for fan use during EHEs.”

Fan death is comical to most non-Koreans because it just doesn’t make much sense and most of the urban legend beliefs are incredible and isolated within Korean urban legend.  Furthermore, common sense states that it is the elderly (above 65 years) as well as infants and children or people already suffering from chronic medical conditions who are more prone to heat stress.  Notwithstanding, it is good advice for everyone to drink plenty of water and other fluids as well as turning on a fan or dehumidifying air conditioning unit on the affected person for it may improve the effectiveness of the body’s evaporative cooling mechanisms (sweating).

Finally, it is an individual’s responsibility to get informed; get the facts.  It is the duty of public officials to provide reliable and well-founded safety information.  Citizens should review the various educational messages about EHEs for consistency with other messages and information on other issues.

…jus’ say’n.

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CSA – Canadian Standards Approved
DHS U.S. – Department of Homeland Security
EHE – excessive heat event
EMS – emergency medical service
EPA U.S. – Environmental Protection Agency
NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NWS – National Weather Service
PCA – Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
SMSA  - standard metropolitan statistical area
SSC – spatial synoptic classification
TWG – Technical Working Group
UL – Underwriter Laboratories

REFERENCES:

“Fan Death.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death>.

“Newton’s Law of Cooling.” Undergrad Mathematics. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://www.ugrad.math.ubc.ca/coursedoc/math100/notes/diffeqs/cool.html>.

“Excessive Heat Events Guidebook.” Excessive Heat Events Guidebook. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 24 May 2006. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/hiri/about/pdf/EHEguide_final.pdf>.

Philadelphia Office of Mental Health & Mental Retardation. 2002. Fan Facts. Philadelphia, PA.

Toronto Public Health. 2002. Summer Safety: Fan Facts. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“CDC Extreme Heat.” CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response Site. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.asp>.

“CDC Extreme Heat | A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety.” CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response Site. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp>.

“Hyperthermia.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperthermia>.

네 눈빛 속에 내가 보일 때 When I see myself in your eyes,

사랑한다 말해주고 싶어 I want to tell you I love you.

네 손이 나를 스쳐 지나면 When your hand brushes past me,

너를 품에 껴안고 싶어 I want to hug you in my arms.

하루하루 커져만 가는 daily it’s only growing (bigger)
내 가시가 널 아프게 해서 my thorn(faults), become your pain

숨기려고 애를 써봐도 Even though I try to hide my heart,

네 앞에 서면 내 눈물 들켜버리지 I get caught my crying when I stand before you.

아프게 너를 밀어내 봐도 Even though I painfully push you away,

언제나 넌 내 맘 속 그 자리인 걸 You’re always at the same place in my heart.

멈출 수 없는 나의 사랑이 My unstoppable love

아직도 너를 보낼 수 없나봐 Would not let me send you away yet.

너의 향기가 내게 남아서 Because your scent still lingers on me,

아직 너를 잊을 수 없는 걸 I cannot forget you yet.

너의 눈물이 아직 느껴져 Because I can still feel your tears,

그렇게 내가 아파하나 봐 I guess I’m still hurt that much.

언제나 난 네 주위를 맴돌지 I am always around you.

내 가시가 널 아프게 해서 Because my thorn hurts you

숨기려고 애를 써봐도 Even though I try to hide my heart,

네 앞에 서면내 눈물 들켜버리지 I get caught my crying when I stand before you.

(2)아프게 너를 밀어내 봐도 Even though I painfully push you away,

언제나 넌 내 맘속 그 자리인 걸 You’re always at the same place in my heart.

멈출 수 없는 나의 사랑이 My unstoppable love

아직도 너를 보낼 수 없나봐 Would not let me send you away yet.

널 추억이라고 나를 속이며 By tricking myself that you were a something of the past,

그렇게 잊고 싶었어 I wanted to forget it all

널 위해 모든 걸 해줄 수 있지만 I can do everything for you

널 보내줄 수가 없어 But I cannot let you go

그리워 네가 너무 그리워 I miss you, I miss you very much

가질 수 없는 너를 사랑해 I love you who I cannot have.

“세월이 가도 그것은 남아” : in this sentence, “although time passes, it also remains.” or “it will remain” …. if you say “세월이 가면 그것은 남아”, “as time goes by, it will fade.” or “after a long time, it will fade” or “(i wish) it will fade.” … “세월이 가면 그것이 남아” doesn’t make sense here. “세월이 가면 잊혀질 거야” means “as time goes by, it will fade.”

It sounds awkward, if you say “세월이 가면 그것이 남아” to express your feeling. … associated with a feeling, it doesn’t make sense; but associated with something evident (ex, crime, science,..) it makes sense.  I don’t know why.  Apparently, “세월이 가도 그것은 남아” is better.

[연설]을 Timon : 별거 아니 구만! 정말 멋진 문구!
[연설]을 Pumbaa : 별거 아니 구만!
[노래]를 Pumbaa : 아니오 희미한 유행 아닌가요.
Timon [노래]을 : 그것은 당신의 일의 나머지 부분에 대한 걱정을 의미합니다.
둘 다 [노래하는] : 그건 우리 문제가없는 철학이야.
[연설]을 Timon : 별거 아니 구만!
[노래]를 Timon : 왜, 그는 젊은 혹멧돼지 때 …
Pumbaa [이 노래]를 : 나는 젊은 혹멧돼지 때 …
Timon [말할]은 아주 좋아요.
감사합니다 : Pumbaa [말하는]
Timon [노래]
그는 그의 향기는 어떤 매력이 부족 없습니다.
그는 매일 식사 후 사바나을 취소 수 있습니다.
[노래]를 Pumbaa : 저는 민감한 영혼, 난 두꺼운 피부 보이지만.
그리고 그것은 내 친구가 바람 불어가는쪽으로 향하게 서서 절대 상처.
그리고, 오, 부끄러운 줄 아세요!
Timon [말하는]을 : 그는 부끄러워!
[노래]를 Pumbaa : Thoughta의 무언가를 ‘내 이름입니다.
[말하는]을 Timon : 아, 이름이 뭐야?
[노래]를 Pumbaa : 그리고 난 downhearted있어 …
[말하는]을 Timon : 기분이나요?
[노래]를 Pumbaa : … 할 때마다 그 전 …
[연설]을 Timon : 애들 앞에서 아닌 이봐, Pumbaa!
[연설]을 Pumbaa : 아, 죄송 해요.
둘 다 [노래] : 별거 아니 구만!
정말 멋진 문구!
하쿠나 마타타!
아니 희미한 유행 아닌가요.
심바 [노래]을 : 그것은 당신의 일의 나머지 부분에 대한 걱정을 말한다!
Timon [말하는]을 : 예, 꼬마 그것을 노래!
전체 [노래하는] : 그건 우리 문제가없는 철학이야!
하쿠나 마타타!
[말하는]을 Timon : 그것의 모토, 꼬마야 있습니다!
심바 [말하는]을 : 무엇 모토거야?
[연설]을 Timon : 아무것도, 도대체 왜 모토이야!?!

모든 웃다

[이런이런]
하쿠나 마타타!
하쿠나 마타타!
하쿠나 마타타!
하쿠나 …!

심바 [노래]을 : 그것은 당신의 일의 나머지 부분에 대한 걱정을 말한다!

전체 [노래하는] : 그건 우리 문제가없는 철학이야.
[동시 singi가 겨과 이런이런]
하쿠나 마타타!
하쿠나 마타타!

I think Koreans counting 차  intend to imply a different or new venue altogether.   However, we could use 1st, 2nd, 3rd round for a new set of something, or anything, and it can be in the same location and the same thing, just another “round” or “serving.”

I don’t know if others may agree with me or not, when I hear people say 1차 2차 3차 the idea I get is different location, and different things.

Most of the time… [Korean] people say “2차 가자” after they are done with 1차 to indicate it’s time they move to another place for 2차 for the same thing they did for 1차 or something different.

For example:
1차 삼겹살
2차 술 (different place)
3차 술 (different place)
4차 노래방
5차 술 lol  (different place)
6차 삼겹살 (different place)
7차 고스톱
8차 novaKorean meetup
9차 Dulles airport
10차 Korea

…10차…I have never heard of someone achieving 10차  (I think I will attempt!)
Do you get the idea?
I hope this helps.

Not to mention, the health benefits of drinking Guinness extend further than the surprisingly low caloric content. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin found antioxidant compounds in Guinness that may prevent the kind of blood clotting that leads to heart attack. They claim a pint of Guinness a day does as much to fight the risk of heart attack as the daily low-dose aspirin many doctors recommend.

Yeah, maybe you see this poster in the Kitchen at work or at your child’s school cafeteria, right?  I get the whole, “Learn how to be waste-free!”  This is an EPA developed concept to help students learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle items in their school lunches.  But, what’s funny about it is this part…  if you look closely, the boy is “recycling” a note from mom.  …jus’ say’n.

“Sometimes it snows in April” = “오뉴월에도 서리가 내린다” (It could frost even in May or June.) But I’m not sure that the meaning is the same.  Koreans use this sentence for something happening which is impossible or unnatural.  “여자가 한을 품으면, 오뉴월에도 서리가 내린다.”  “If a woman gets to have 한, 오뉴월에도 서리가 내린다.”  So… It implies, “Do well to women.”