Air Quality In Metro Manila Improves – DENR

Written by Marc Adrian

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) data shows an improvement in Manila’s air quality after the Taal Volcano spiked the inhalable Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) to unhealthy levels.

The agency reported Monday afternoon that the air quality was unhealthy for sensitive groups in the cities of Taguig, Mandaluyong, and Las Piñas. On Tuesday afternoon, the particulate matter seems to have subsided as DENR reported a fair to excellent air quality in the same cities. 

PM10 is a reference to the Particles of 10 Micrometers or less in diameter. It’s a term that is used to measure air quality that contains inhalable particles such as the volcanic ashes. 

Higher levels of PM10 is dangerous for those with respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, or emphysema.  In contrast, the lower PM10, the better the air quality. 

As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the air quality across Metro Manila are as follows:

The Taal Volcano is still at alert level 4, indicating that a hazardous eruption is highly possibly within hours to days since its initial eruptions last Sunday which is called a phreatic eruption. This eruption is what disrupted the air quality from Batangas to as far as Metro Manila. 

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