Air Quality still ‘fair’: Cebu haze not from Kanlaon

CEBU, Philippines — Amid the light haze that enveloped Cebu and other areas in Central Visayas yesterday, the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau of Central Visayas (DENR-EMB)-7 clarified that the current “degassing” of Mt. Kanlaon has nothing to do with it.

DENR-EMB 7 Regional Director Ma. Victoria V. Abrera confirmed in a Zoom meeting that based on the air quality health guide they made, the light haze falls under the yellow zone or “fair” status.

The “fair” status falls within a range of 51 to 100 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), when air is still safe to breathe, except for the “vulnerable groups.”

Abrera said that based on their data from yesterday, air quality measured 65 µg/m³ at their Banilad station.

But while this is still within the “fair” range, this is double than what was observed last Tuesday, which was just 32 µg/m³.

“From 32 microgram hanggang umabot sa 65 micrograms. But this is still a fair or in public, hindi pa cautionary,” Abrera said.

Meanwhile, the air quality of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental was projected at 28 µg/m³, which is under the “Good” status.

Abrera said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas said the haze is likely due to the cold front or cooler weather conditions caused by typhoons.

“According to Pagasa we have a cold front, or malamig na panahon, maybe because of the typhoons in the past days in the area,” she said.

These weather conditions, Abrera said, present a condition known as “temperature inversion,” where the warm air above traps cool air near the ground, thus preventing small particles and dust from dispersing quickly.

“Continuous ito at tinawag itong ‘temperature inversion’. Yong tiny particles and dust cannot really go fast, mabilis na pag-akyat, so nagkakaroon tayo na haze na tinatawag. Yan ang pinaka-source,” she further said.

Abrera assured the general public that the light haze experienced in the region is not alarming.

She, however, advised caution for the vulnerable groups, or individuals with respiratory conditions, senior citizens, and children who may be sensitive to dust and pollution.

“Mag ingat din, if you feel the need, mag-mask ka na. Take all the measures that will protect you from the dust and pollution,” said Abrera.

As precaution, vulnerable groups are advised to limit time spent outdoors and people with respiratory issues should avoid strenuous activities.

For those who need to go outside, wearing masks is recommended to protect themselves.

Abrera assured the public that DENR-EMB-7 will continue to monitor closely the situation.

PAG-ASA Visayas has confirmed the light haze observed in Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete City.

PAG-ASA Visayas Weather Specialist Vhan Sabellano said they have categorized the conditions in these three areas as “light haze” since yesterday.

She said that Cebu City has seven to eight kilometers of visibility; eight in Panglao, Bohol; and 12 kilometers for Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental.

These figures, Sabellano said, still fall under the “good condition” category.

She said that if visibility drops to five kilometers or below, the haze would be classified as “thick haze”, an “alert level” would be issued, and airports would usually be notified for caution.

“Makaingon ta nga thick ang atong haze once mo-drop na to five kilometers down. Diha na siya mag-start nga baga-baga na gyud atong haze ana,” Sabellano said.

She said they still investigating the source and cause of the light haze. — /RHM (FREEMAN)