QC residents advised to wear face mask due to 'unhealthy' air quality

The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) on Monday advised residents in the city to wear a face mask when going outdoors, citing unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality in some areas.

“If you have respiratory conditions, stay indoors if possible,” the QCDRRMO said in a post on Facebook.

“If you must go out, wear a mask to protect your health,” it added.

The QCDRRMO said the public may call the QC Helpline 122 for emergencies.

In its air quality map for April 27 to 28, the QC LGU identified the following areas as having "very unhealthy" air quality:

• Maligaya Elementary School
• Kaligayahan Elementary School
• Lagro High School
• Susano Road
• Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility

Meanwhile, the following areas were identified by the QC LGU as having air quality that is 'unhealthy for sensitive groups':

• Novaliches Wet and Dry Market
• P. Dela Cruz Street
• Korphil Quezon City University
• Pearl Drive Footbridge
• Payatas Super Health Center
• Quirino Highway cor. Mindanao Ave.
• Tandang Sora Brgy. Hall Footbridge
• Brgy. Sauyo Baluyot Satellite Hall
• FEU Diliman
• Jose Rizal High School

As of April 28, Swiss research firm IQair said that the air quality index in QC was at 90, with Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) as the main pollutant.

It noted that the PM2.5 concentration of 29.9µg/m³ is six times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value.

“PM2.5 particles are floating particulate matter in the air measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less. PM2.5 is so small it can be absorbed into the bloodstream upon inhalation,” IQair said.

“For this reason, it is typically the pollutant posing the greatest health threat,” it added.

It advised sensitive groups to wear masks outdoors, reduce outdoor exercise, close windows to avoid dirty outdoor air, and to run an air purifier. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KG, GMA Integrated News