ILOILO City – Air quality in Iloilo City deteriorated sharply within just four hours Thursday morning, September 3, reaching the “very unhealthy” level and prompting authorities to urge residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and areas with heavy traffic.
The Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) at the Garden of Love in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz district recorded a PM2.5 rolling 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) average classified as “very unhealthy” as of 9 a.m.
The reading marked a one-category deterioration from the 5 a.m. monitoring of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 6, when the city’s air quality was still classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
The “very unhealthy” classification means the prevailing air quality may pose significant health risks, particularly to people with existing heart or respiratory conditions.
With air quality worsening, authorities advised the public to avoid areas with heavy traffic and prolonged outdoor exposure, postpone unnecessary trips and outdoor activities, and minimize or voluntarily restrict the use of private vehicles to prevent contributing further to air pollution.
People with heart or respiratory conditions, including asthma, were advised to stay indoors and rest as much as possible.
Those who need to venture outdoors were urged to take appropriate precautions to minimize exposure to particulate matter.
Despite Iloilo City’s deteriorating air quality, monitoring stations in the nearby Iloilo Province municipalities of Oton, Pavia and San Miguel recorded PM10 rolling 24-hour AQI averages that remained within the “fair” category as of 9 a.m.
The readings indicated that air quality in the three municipalities remained generally acceptable during the monitoring period.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-EMB Region 6 began closely monitoring air quality across the Metro Iloilo Airshed on Monday, August 31, after haze affected several parts of the country.
The haze has been associated with smoke and transboundary haze from ongoing forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health – Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) recommended the use of N95 masks as additional protection amid the worsening air quality, particularly in Iloilo City.
DOH WV CHD Officer-in-Charge Assistant Regional Director Dr. Mary Pauline Gestosani said N95 masks are especially advisable for people suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma.
“Aware naman kita sina during sang pandemic kon ano nga klasi sini nga mask. But kon in case indi available ang N95 mask, for those nga kinahanglan gid we can double mask sang usual ta nga ginabakal sa mga pharmacies,” Gestosani said.
A handkerchief covering the nose and mouth may also be used when no face mask is available.
Gestosani further advised people, particularly those belonging to vulnerable sectors, to remain indoors if they have no essential reason to go outside because exposure to haze could trigger asthma, allergies and other health problems.
For households experiencing heavy haze in their surroundings, she also recommended dampening curtains so airborne dust and particles could stick to the wet fabric instead of circulating inside the home./PN
