No cause for alarm. No need for gas masks
These, in a nutshell, was the gist of the message from officials of the Department of Health and the Environment Management Bureau in a press conference held at a local hotel Tuesday, 27 October 2015.
A light haze filters the sun over Balingoan Port, Misamis Oriental last October 24 (photo courtesy of Vincent Tom Udasco)
“The ambient air quality monitored by our Air Quality Monitoring Station in Iligan City as of last Sunday, October 18 was 93 micrograms per normal cubic meter (g/Ncm) for PM2.5 (fine particulates) and 110g/Ncm for PM10 (normal particulates),” said Engr. Florencio E. Dominguez, Jr., Chief, Environmental Compliance & Monitoring Division, EMB-10.
This was slightly over the Philippine standard earlier set by the DENR for PM2.5 which was set at 75 g/Ncm for an average of 24 hours or short term, and 35g/Ncm for an average of one year or long term, starting from the order’s effectivity until 31 Dec. 2015.
A light haze obscures the famed Mt. Hibok-Hibok of Camiguin Island last October 26 (photo courtesy of Vincent Tom Udasco)
However, as of Monday, 26 October 2015, Dominguez said the PM2.5 level had dropped to only 30 g/Ncm, well below the 75 g/Ncm threshold, as had the PM10 levels down to 58, or half the earlier 110 g/Ncm.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), this was a direct result of the shifting of prevailing winds from South West (SW) in October 18 to North East (NE) or the opposite direction, thus dissipating the haze over the region.
The beach at the town of Opol, Misamis Oriental is covered by smog from Indonesian forest fires on Oct. 23, 2015.
However, the Department of Health clarified that even at its initial levels, the haze from Indonesia never posed a danger to public health.
“We only consider the level of particulates a danger to persons at risk when this exceeds 154 g/Ncm,” said Dr. David A. Mendoza, Head of the Regional Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit (RESU) of DOH-X. “Thus, even the 93 g/Ncm for PM2.5 reading a threat to persons at risk.”|
PM2.5 is a fine particle found in smoke and haze, and can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires or may form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and vehicles react in the air. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health problems.
“It is only when the PM2.5 level breaches the 155 mark that we issue an advisory for people at risk (i.e., with cardiac/pulmonary conditions) to wear protective mask when going outdoors. And it is only when the level reaches 354 g/Ncm that we advise all people to wear masks,” he added.
The top of the Immaculate Conception parish church and parts of Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City are shrouded by haze on Friday afternoon Oct. 23, 2015.
Furthermore, there was no discernable rise in the number of cardiac and respiratory cases monitored by the RESU for the month of October 2015 when the haze started creeping through Mindanao, compared to the same period in 2014 or the previous months in 2015, Mendoza added.
Thus, there never was a reason for the DOH to issue an advisory for people to wear masks or caution people at risk to venture outdoors, Mendoza stressed.
The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of R.A 8749, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999″.
Its primary goal is to come out with a comprehensive national program to achieve and maintain Air Quality that meets the National Air Quality Guidelines for Criteria Pollutants and their Emissions Standards while minimizing the possible associated negative impacts on the country’s economy.
Smog from Indonesian forest fires blankets the highway in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City on Oct. 23, 2015.
Its implementing rules and regulation contain specific requirement that prohibit the vehicular and industrial sources from emitting pollutants in amounts that cause significant deterioration of air quality.
The DENR earlier set the air quality standard on particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller, or commonly known as PM2.5, to ensure public health.
Starting 01 Jan. 2016, the DENR will be implementing a more stringent National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Value (NAAQGV) for the short and long terms 50 and 25g/Ncm, respectively
Particulate matter refers to any type of solid particles in the air in the form of smoke, dust and vapors which is produced by many sources, including burning of diesel fuels by vehicles, fossil fuels, mixing and application of fertilizers and pesticides, road construction, industrial processes and operation of woodstoves. Some microscopic particles in the air can be breathed into the lungs causing increased respiratory disease and lung damage.
– INDNJC –