Smog blankets parts of Metro Manila after New Year's Eve

People woke up to hazy skies as smog blanketed parts of Metro Manila following the New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

For instance, some buildings in Quezon City are almost invisible because of the smog, according to Darlene Cay’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday. 

Monitoring by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Environment Management Bureau showed that the air quality in North Caloocan and Makati reached  “emergency level”, while the air quality in Taguig was tagged as “acutely unhealthy” as of 4 p.m. 

According to DENR’s guidelines, the public must remain inside their homes when concentrations of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 in the air reach “emergency level”.

On the other hand, the concentrations of PM 10, or air pollutants like coarse dust, were tagged as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in Marikina City. 

Swiss research firm IQAir also generated the same data showing unhealthy levels of air quality in Metro Manila. For instance, the air quality in Taguig was deemed “hazardous” at 7 a.m., while the air in Pasay City was considered as “very unhealthy” as of 12 nn. 

But the state weather bureau PAGASA said that smog was also observed in Central Luzon. Yet, it assured that the smog won’t last until the end of the day especially when rain pours. 

“So marami tayong emission po ng mga particulate matters na galing po sa mga paputok and also ‘yung mga usok, ito po ‘yung nagko-cause kung bakit medyo nagkakaroon ng reduction sa visibility sa ilang bahagi po ng ating bansa,” said PAGASA weather specialist Munir Baldomero. 

(So we have a lot of particulate matter emissions coming from fireworks and also smoke, which causes the reduction in visibility in several parts of our country.) 

The Department of Health, on other hand, warned that inhalation of particles or dust poses a serious health threat. 

“Kapag ito kasi pumasok sa ating baga, pwedeng pumunta ‘yun sa kalalim-laliman ng ating baga at manatili doon. At kapag nangyari doon, nagkakaroon ng irritation. May mga pag-aaral pa nga na nagsasabi na maaring tumawid ito sa ating dugo at later on magkaroon ng problema sa ating circulatory system,” said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo. 

(When this enters our lungs, it can reach the deepest parts of our lungs and stay there. And when that happens, irritation occurs. There are even studies that suggest this can cross into our bloodstream and later on cause problems in our circulatory system.) 

During smog, experts advised to close the windows and doors when inside the house. It is also suggested to put a damp cloth on the gaps of windows and doors. 

The public is also encouraged to wear face masks when going outside when there is smog. The DOH recommended wearing an N95 mask or a damp cloth can also be used to cover your mouth and nose. 

While the air quality has yet to improve, health authorities advise elderly people, persons with comorbidities, and toddlers to stay at home. –NB, GMA Integrated News