Archdiocese appeals for N95 masks amid increase in Taal Volcano emissions

A Batangas archdiocese appealed for N95 mask donations following the recent increase in sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Center (LASAC) called for donations of N95 masks, primarily for residents near the volcano.

“Patuloy parin nangangailangan ng N95 lalo na ang mga lugar na malapit sa Bulkang Taal,” the archdiocese said.

(There is still a need for N95 masks, especially for the residents in the areas near Taal Volcano.)

According to the post, the N95 mask donations may be brought to the LAFORCE Building, St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary Compound, Marawoy, Lipa City.

Several residents in Agoncillo, Batangas experienced sore throats, chest pain, and coughing after last week's increase in volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emissions from Taal Volcano.

According to a Balitanghali report on Thursday, residents reported the symptoms after inhaling smoke from the volcano. They also said that the emissions caused some tree leaves to turn yellow.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Saturday said the upwelling of hot volcanic liquids in the main crater lake of Taal Volcano in Batangas continued, with six volcanic tremors recorded in the past 24 hours.

Voluminous plumes rising to 3,000 meters were also observed. These drifted north, northeast, and southwest.

Volcanic smog or vog was also observed. Vog consists of droplets containing volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide which is acidic and can cause “irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract in severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure,” PHIVOLCS earlier said.

Meanwhile, Taal Volcano remained under Alert Level 1 (Low-level unrest). — DVM, GMA News