Air quality in Metro Manila worsening
September 27, 2010
BY ANGELA LOPEZ DE LEON, MALAY BUSINESS INSIGHT
THE Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources yesterday said that the quality of air in Metro Manila continues to worsen.
Jun Dy, science research specialist of the EMB Air Division, said the air pollution level in Metro Manila now exceeds the national air quality standard of 90 micrograms per normal cubic meter.
"I can see an increasing trend in the level of harmful pollutants in the air towards the end of this year. The rise could be attributed to an increase in the number of motor vehicles and poor maintenance of it," Dy said.
Citing the latest data from the DENR-EMB, Dy said the number of total suspended particulates (TSP) in the metropolis in the second quarter of the year was at an average of 139 micrograms of pollutants per normal cubic meter, which is 48 percent above the standard of 90 micrograms.
The stretch of Edsa has the dirtiest air, which recorded 283 micrograms per normal cubic meter.
TSP are small solid or liquid particles suspended in air that come from diesel vehicles and coal-burning power plants.
Dust is also a major source of TSP especially during dry months. Dust can come from unpaved roads and construction activities.
Dy noted that the air quality of Metro Manila was improving from 2004 to 2007.
In 2004, the average was at 160 micrograms, 154 micrograms in 2005, 142 micrograms in 2006, and 132 micrograms in 2007.
Pollution level started to rise in 2008 when the TSP was 138 micrograms. The following year, the amount of TSP in the metropolis was 134 micrograms.
Dy said "rains and storms with gusty winds" could clean the air but there should be efforts to reduce fumes because "the pollution is continuous."
The DENR has monitoring stations to measure "criteria and non-criteria" pollutants.
The criteria pollutants are: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and lead.
The non-criteria pollutants are benzene, toluene and xylene.
The stations also meteorological data which include wind direction, vertical wind speed, wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, net radiation, barometric pressure, solar and UV radiation.
These monitoring stations are located in Makati City, East avenue and the Manila Observatory inside the Ateneo University on Katipunan avenue in Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, and the Department of Health office in Manila.
According to a 2007 World Bank report, air pollution is a major cause of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, costing the country P7.6 billion annually.
The World Bank report is bolstered by a study of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine which showed that more than 50 percent of the medicines sold in the country are for respiratory ailments.