CO2 levels at LRT trains three times more than accepted standard

Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels at Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT) trains were three times higher than the accepted standard of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Ken Abante is a regular commuter of LRT-1 and as an advocate of safe transportation he always carries his carbon dioxide monitor to check air quality.

In a tweet, Abante shared that the CO2 level inside a train coach was 2,986 parts per million (ppm) when he rode the LRT-1.

He said the CO2 level even reached 3,124 ppm in the middle of his trip.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, Abante said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) only recommends 1,000 ppm.

This means the ventilation inside the train coach is insufficient.

“Kapag tumataas ‘yung numero (ng CO2) ibig sabihin mas kulob. Kasama po sa mine-measure niya yung hininga natin palabas. Dahil lahat ng tao ay huminga ng palabas at nag-expel ng CO2 baka mahinga naman natin paloob, yun ang mag-cause ng infection ng COVID-19,” Abante said.

(If CO2 number goes higher, that means the area is enclosed. The meter also measures our breathing out. Because everyone breathes out and expels CO2, we might inhale it, that’s what causes COVID-19 infection.)

In a separate tweet, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) said that it has installed UV disinfection and hospital grade high efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter systems in the air conditioning system on all its trains to remove pathogens and clean the air.

Corporation Communications head of LMRC Jacqueline Gorospe noted that if the window is closed, the train door would open whenever it arrives at the train stations so that air enters.

“Mayroon tayong ginawang initiative ‘yung pag-install ng hospital-grade HEPA filter system,” Gorospe explained.

(We have taken the initiative to install a hospital-grade HEPA filter system.)

Based on DOLE’s guidelines for ventilation in workplaces and public transport, CO2 should not exceed 1,000 ppm.

However, Gorospe said they also have a CO2 meter to measure the air flow and that they follow the DOLE policy based on their daily average.

“The CO2 level is very much affected or influenced by several factors—yung temperature, humidity, and then pollution. Kapag maraming tao sa loob ng train you will expect higher CO2 levels,” she pointed out.

(The CO2 level is very much affected or influenced by several factors such as temperature, humidity, and then pollution. If there are many people inside the train, you will expect a higher CO2 level.)

Gorospe added that they will coordinate with Abante’s group and other public health advocates to resolve the issue.

In addition, Abante said he has also measured the air quality at airplanes, airports, buses, and transport network vehicle service

“Kailangan pong i-focus yung public health messaging to really work with companies and commuter groups para po ma-improve ang overall indoor ventilation and indoor air quality dito sa Pilipinas especially in public and enclosed spaces,” he stressed.

(We need to focus on public health messaging to really work with companies and commuter groups. To improve overall indoor ventilation and indoor air quality here in the Philippines especially in public and enclosed spaces.)

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he would talk with the officials of the Department of Transportation regarding the matter.

Duque also reminded the public that it is important to wear a face mask especially in crowded areas.—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News