DOH: New Year smog may cause asthma or respiratory problems

The last of the New Year's fireworks have died down, but this doesn't mean we can breathe easy yet.

 

Health Secretary Enrique Ona warned Metro Manila residents about the heavy smog that lingered early on Sunday morning, saying this could be a problem for those with asthma or respiratory problems.

 

A portmanteau of smoke and fog, smog is a murky-colored haze that hangs thick in the air. While smog may look romantic, it is actually a toxic form of air pollution that can be caused by vehicular emissions and industrial fumes. Smog can also be caused by smoke from detonated fireworks.

 

Smog's harmful effects range from difficulty breathing due to irritated or inflamed pulmonary membranes, illnesses like colds and pneumonia, to lung cancer from prolonged and continuous exposure to smog.

 

"’Yang smog, puwedeng mairita ang mata niyo, may pagluha. Puwede kayong sipunin. Nakakatuyo 'yan ng lalamunan, kaya puwede tayong ubuhin. Kalaunan, kung parating ganoon, mauuwi ‘yan sa chronic bronchitis. At ‘pag minalas-malas tayo at hindi maganda ‘yung mga pollution index natin, mauuwi ‘yan sa lung cancer," said DOH spokesman Dr. Eric Tayag in an interview on “Unang Balita” on Monday.

 

"This is something that should be... part of our consideration in our strategy to go about this not only next year but in the years to come," Ona said in an earlier report, noting that while injuries from fireworks dropped compared to last year's figures, the post-revelry smog is still worrisome.

 

The smog was so thick that several flights to and from Manila where delayed due to zero visibility. Although fireworks were reportedly reduced this year, dry weather allowed smog from firecrackers to linger. 

 

Motorists had to switch on their hazard lights to manage their way through the haze, which could have been lessened had it been a rainy New Year's Day.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said while there may not be enough rain to wash away the pollution, strong winds may blow the smog toward the West Philippine Sea.

 

In the meantime, Tayag advised residents to stay indoors, especially if one has asthma.

 

"Ang maaapektuhan niyan ‘yung mga may hika. At kami ay titingin ng datos sa ospital, ‘yung mga sinusugod dahil sa smog, at baka marami ang sinumpong ng hika," added Tayag.

 

"Kung kayo ay lalabas, huwag ho kayo sa lugar na may smog, at kung maaari takpan ‘yung ilong niyo, magbasa kayo ng tela, maglagay kayo ng panyo o gumamit kayo ng mask," he said. –Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News