Avoid exposure to 'unhealthy air' from fireworks — eco group

If the risk of losing your fingers isn't enough to keep you away from firecrackers, you might like to consider the effects on health of hazardous pollutants that come from the blasting of firecrackers and use of fireworks during the New Year revelry. Exposure to chemicals and airborne particles from firecrackers and fireworks can cause a host of respiratory problems such as bronchial asthma, allergic or chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia and rhinitis, according to pulmonologist Dr. Maricar Limpin, former president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP). “The marked increase of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere can cause nose, throat, chest and eye problems and aggravate the conditions of people suffering from allergies, coughs and colds,” Limpin said in a press statement released by environment group EcoWaste Coalition. Those with asthma should keep their homes clean to avoid inhaling dust, East Avenue Medical Center toxicologist Dr. Visitacion Antonio said in an earlier report. "Mas mainam pa rin pumunta ka sa lugar na hindi nagpapaputok," Antonio said. On Sunday, EcoWaste and Our Lady of Remedies Parish Care for the Earth Ministry and Children’s Ministry were joined by Limpin and other doctors from PCCP and Philippine Medical Association in their “Iwas PapuToxic” campaign held in front of the Malate Catholic Church. "The pervasive pollution is lamentable knowing that country's quest for clean air is yet to be won. A New Year's celebration promoting a clean and safe environment, the sanctity of life and a culture of peace is the call of the hour," said Father John Leydon, Parish Priest, Our Lady of Remedies Church. Campaigners wore authentic gas masks to illustrate how unhealthy the air becomes with the "warlike detonation of firecrackers and fireworks, especially during New Year's Eve," the statement said. “The pyrotechnic explosions create a toxic brew of injurious pollutants affecting the air quality and consequently the health of people, particularly infants and young children and those afflicted with heart and respiratory diseases,” said Aileen Lucero, an "Iwas PapuToxic" campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition. Members of the coalition urged the government to monitor the air quality on December 31 and January 1, disseminate the generated data, and issue appropriate advisories based on the air quality index (AQI) cautionary statements. They also warned that there may be a recurrence of the “very unhealthy” air quality on January 1, 2012 in the aftermath of the last New Year’s revelry. Citing data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), the coalition said nine real-time PM monitoring stations exceeded the 24-hour guideline value of 150 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m³) on January 1, 2012. The average PM10 (or soot) recorded was 352 ug/m³. As for the total suspended particulate (TSP), eight of the nine monitoring stations went above the 24-hour guideline value of 230 ug/m3 on January 1, 2012. The average TSP recorded was 477.67 ug/m3. According to the DENR-EMB, the air pollution in last New Year's celebration was triggered by the prevailing weather condition, particularly the low ambient temperature, low wind velocity and low-lying clouds, it said. "Since the PM10 and TSP levels have reached the “very unhealthy” levels as per the air quality index (AQI), the DENR-EMB should have, in accordance with the Clean Air Act, issued cautionary health statements that say: 'Pedestrian should avoid heavy traffic areas. People with heart or respiratory disease such as asthma should stay indoors and rest as much as possible. Unnecessary trips should be postponed. People should voluntarily restrict the use of vehicles,' it added. Meanwhile, the Department of Health is considering pushing for a nationwide fireworks ban, as the number of fireworks injuries increased five days before the New Year. Last November, the DOH launched its Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) campaign to remind the public that fireworks cause injuries and endanger health. The campaign encourages the public to welcome the New Year with noise-makers such as car horns, cans, pots and pans instead of using firecrackers. — with a report by Carmela G. Lapeña /LBG, GMA News