MANILA, Philippines — The “very unhealthy” air quality reported in the National Capital Region (NCR) is due to vehicular emissions and not from volcanic smog or vog, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
In its latest Haze Watch Air Quality Technical Bulletin, the DENR said that the air pollution in Metro Manila is mainly caused by heavy traffic emissions and worsened by thermal inversion, which traps pollutants near the ground.
The current air pollution levels may be primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic, especially during rush hour, and the effect of thermal inversion which traps air pollutants in the surface level,” it said
This debunks earlier reports that the zero visibility of the skies in the city is due to haze which was later thought to be from the volcanic fog from degassing activities of Taal Volcano.
At around 8 a.m., the wind was coming from the southeast, moving away from the NCR, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.
Vog was also recorded in areas near Taal Volcano, which is under Alert Level 1.
According to DENR, here is the current state of air quality index (AQI) in Metro Manila and other areas near Taal:
- Makati City: AQI “very unhealthy” for PM2.5
- Caloocan City: AQI “unhealthy for sensitive groups” for PM2.5
- Pateros: AQI “unhealthy for sensitive groups” for PM2.5
- Parañaque City: AQI “unhealthy for sensitive groups” for PM2.5
- Pateros: AQI “fair” for PM10
- Taguig City: AQI “fair” for PM10
- Caloocan City: AQI “good” for PM10
- San Juan: AQI “good” for PM10
- Makati City: AQI “good” for PM10
- Parañaque City: AQI “good” for PM10
- SM Skyranch, Tagaytay, Cavite: AQI “very unhealthy” for PM2.5
- BSU Mabini Campus Rizal Ave, Extension, Batangas: AQI “very unhealthy” for PM2.5
The DENR said that if the AQI is under the “Very Unhealthy” (AQI 151-200), people with heart or respiratory conditions should stay indoors and limit activities. For “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (AQI 101-150), people with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activities.
If the AQI is “Good” (AQI 0-50), the air quality is satisfactory, with little or no risk. But if the AQI is declared under “PM2.5” or Particulate Matter with diameters <2.5 micrometers, the air quality can cause breathing difficulties and worsen existing health issues.
Due to high levels of volcanic smog from Taal Volcano, some areas and educational institutions have canceled or suspended in-person classes for Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Among the areas and higher institutions that canceled and suspended in-person classes include:
- Lubang, Mindoro — No classes for elementary and high school
- San Pablo City — No face-to-face classes at any level, public and private
- Tanauan City —No face-to-face classes at any level, public and private
- OB Montessori Center — No face-to-face classes at all Metro Manila campuses
- Colegio de San Juan de Letran — No face-to-face classes; flexible work arrangements for staff
- Mapua University — No face-to-face classes for senior high and undergraduate; employees will work from home
- Adamson University — No face-to-face classes at any level
