Valenzuela, Marikina top Metro Manila cities with the unhealthiest air quality

Majority areas in Metro Manila have scored an unhealthy air quality index as the massive fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill continues to burn.

According to the Environmental Management Bureau’s real-time data, as of 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) score was 222 for Valenzuela City, which was categorized as “Acutely Unhealthy.”

This means the air had massive amounts of PM 2.5, which are fine particulate matter of mixed pollutants that are mixed with the outdoor air.

Marikina has the next highest AQI of 182, which was “Very Unhealthy.”

Majority of the other Metro Manila areas scored between 101 to 150, which was “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

Said areas were as follows:

• Malabon: 149
• Navotas: 119
• Quezon City (Ateneo): 118
• Quezon City (SMPH Commonwealth): 130

Meanwhile, Caloocan scored a 98 AQI, which falls under the “Fair” category.

The following areas under the “Good” category had AQI ranging from 0 to 50:

• Makati: 30
• Mandaluyong: 45
• Muntinlupa: 48
• San Juan: 47
• Taguig: 35

Health experts earlier said exposure to contaminated air increases the risk of pneumonia and other respiratory problems, such as chemical pneumonia.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) earlier urged the public to use face masks and refrain from outside activities to protect themselves from the effects of poor air quality. 

According to the Department of Health, reusing N95 and KN95 masks is totally fine "kasi hindi naman ho ito laban sa COVID-19."

"Hindi virus yung kalaban natin na tulad noon na kapag inulit mo ang gamit ng [mask] ay maaari kang ma-infect," DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said in an interview with "Balitanghali" Monday. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LA, GMA News