Hazy skies in Metro Manila caused by fires – DENR

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) monitored hazy skies in Metro Manila yesterday due to fires that broke out at a sanitary landfill in Montalban, Rizal and a warehouse in Quezon City.

Based on a report of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), particulate matter concentrations in terms of PM10 and PM2.5 peaked between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., but reduced to within the guideline values by 9 a.m.

“The air quality reading varies in time and place and can change at any time depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors,” the EMB said.

The DENR set the air quality of 0 to 50 micrograms per normal cubic meter as good; 51 to 100 µg/Ncm as fair; 101 to 150 µg/Ncm as unhealthy; 151 to 200 µg/Ncm as very unhealthy; 201 to 300 µg/Ncm as acutely unhealthy, and 301 to 500 µg/Ncm as emergency.

‘Wear mask outdoors’

The Quezon City government yesterday advised residents to wear face masks when going outside after it recorded “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” air quality in some parts of the city.

Five monitoring sites for the city’s Air Quality Index showed “very unhealthy” air from 8 a.m. on Sunday to 8 a.m. yesterday.

Residents reported seeing haze, especially in the morning, and smelling smoky odor.

Monitoring sites that recorded “very unhealthy” air quality were those along Susano Road, Maligaya Elementary School, Kaligayahan Elementary School, Lagro High School and at the Payatas controlled disposal facility.

Eleven other sites recorded “unhealthy” air quality, the city government said.

The cause of the air pollution has yet to be released.

The local government continues to monitor the air quality and will immediately update the public of any development.

“If you have a respiratory illness such as asthma, it is advisable to stay indoors. If going out is unavoidable, make sure to wear a mask,” city hall said. — Janvic Mateo