Taal not to blame for Metro Manila smog phivolcs

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IN A VOG Lake Taal becomes a hazy memory of a fish pen as sulfur dioxide emissions from the Taal volcano blanket the volcanic island and the towns above it. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the second most active volcano in the country spat 14,326 tons of gas emissions on Monday, forcing residents of the town of Talisay in Batangas to stay indoors . LYNRILLON

Don’t blame the Taal volcano; the haze over Metro Manila on Monday was most likely caused by human activities, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Tuesday.

State volcanologists said the smog over the capital region was due to pollution, likely from vehicle emissions, and not smog or volcanic vog from the Taal volcano, where an increase in carbon dioxide emissions of sulfur has been observed.

The plume of steam and gas above the Taal volcano is heading northeast, not Metro Manila, said Under Secretary of Science Renato Solidum Jr., officer in charge of Phivolcs.

You can clearly see this pollution in the morning when the temperature is cooler because the sun has just risen, Solidum said, adding that the haze is moving from the ground upwards and is expected to eventually increase as the air temperature increases. increases during the day.

However, a temperature or thermal inversion kept the smog from rising, as a layer of warm air trapped the layer of cold air below, along with smog and other pollutants and particles, according to the Administration. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) in Tanay, Rizal Province.

In Batangas, the vog of the continued emission of sulfur dioxide has forced residents of the town of Talisay, especially children and the elderly, to stay indoors. They have been advised to wear N95 face masks when going out.

Harmful

Peter John Mirania, head of disaster risk reduction and management at Talisays, said on Tuesday the vog could cause eye and throat irritation and pose a health threat to people with respiratory illnesses.

According to Phivolcs, vog is particularly harmful to the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease.

Chronic lower respiratory infection was the eighth leading cause of death in the country last year, based on preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA data showed 19,463 deaths from chronic lower respiratory infections from January to December last year, alongside just 19,758 deaths listed as unidentified viruses or unconfirmed COVID-19 cases by swab testing.

The Phivolcs said on Tuesday that high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and vapor-rich plumes reaching 2,500 meters were observed from the main crater of Taal.

In addition to an atmospheric temperature of 30 degrees, relative humidity and the near absence of air movement, the emissions caused volcanic smog which resulted in haze over the region.

Volcanologists recorded high levels of gas emissions over the weekend, averaging 4,771 tonnes per day on Sunday. On Monday, June 28, SO2 emissions were 14,326 tonnes per day.

Alert Level 2 or increased unrest is currently being triggered on Taal Volcano, which authorities say means sudden steam or gas explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ash falls and Fatal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas in and around TVI (Taal Volcano Island).

WITH A REPORT BY KATHLEEN DE VILLA, RESEARCH INVESTIGATOR

Investigator calls for support for victims of Taal volcano eruption

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