JOHN MJ R.

RECILLA JANUARY 31, 2018

9-KRYPTON CONCHEM

Metro Manila’s air quality even worse this

year – data
During her presentation at a health forum in Quezon City on Tuesday, DENR-EMB assistant director Eva
Ocfemia said that the air pollutant concentration in the National Capital Region reached 130 micrograms
per normal cubic meter (µg/Ncm) in terms of total suspended particulates (TSP), up from 106 µg/Ncm at
year's end in 2014. The maximum safe level of air pollutant concentration is 90 µg/Ncm.

Particulates are tiny airborne particles or aerosols that are less than 100 micrometers. Their sources
include:

 soil  combustion products from space

 bacteria and viruses heating
 fungi, molds and yeast  industrial processes
pollen  power generation
motor vehicle use

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, particulate matter (PM) small enough to be
inhaled include gases emitted from motor vehicles, and "can affect the heart and lungs and cause
serious health effects."

Pollution, particularly from PM that can find its way deep into lungs, is to blame for 3.2 million
preventable deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Still 'fair'?

"During New Year's [Eve], it can have readings of up to 1,000 to 2,000 µg/Ncm. That's why we're
advocating no more fireworks," she said.
Ocfemia also presented data measuring PM10, which refer to those suspended particulates less than 10
micrometers in diameter that include both fine and dust particles.
As of April 2015, PM10 in Metro Manila is at 62 µg/Ncm, two steps higher than the PM10 standard of 60
µg/Ncm.

Vehicles: Top air pollutant

According to the partial results of the National Emissions Inventory in 2012, 71 percent of air pollution
comes from "mobile sources"—in other words, vehicles on the road.
This number is even higher in the National Capital Region (NCR) where 85 percent of air pollution comes
from vehicles.

REACTIONS:

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/healthandwellness/509142/metro-manila-s-air-
quality-even-worse-this-year-data/story/
JOHN MJ R. RECILLA JANUARY 31, 2018
9-KRYPTON CONCHEM

Based from the article we can say that the pollution here in the Philippines is getting worse
especially in the city of Manila which is the capital city of the Philippines. Statistics shows that the level of
air pollutants is above its maximum level. These abnormalities are caused by several factors like bacteria,
viruses, fungi, industrial process, combustion of products, etc. This is very alarming for because this
condition cannot cause good for our lives. Also this country is a nation with many urbanized areas in which
large number of vehicles are occupying the streets everyday. Gases emitted by these vehicles are
dangerous for our health and to our environment. It is stated there that 85% of air pollution comes from
motor vehicles. Fortunately the environmental groups either from local or private sectors are making ways
to solve this problem but for me it is not only them that should contribute, also us other individuals should
do our part to prevent and help minimize the harmful effects of air pollution.

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/healthandwellness/509142/metro-manila-s-air-
quality-even-worse-this-year-data/story/