‘Very unhealthy’ air monitored in Bago City amid Kanlaon Volcano activity

The air quality in an evacuation center in Barangay Balingasag, Bago City, Negros Occidental became “very unhealthy” amid the activity of Kanlaon Volcano, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“For Bago City Sports Complex station, it worsened to Very Unhealthy [165 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter)] index,” the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Western Visayas said in its air quality status update on Wednesday.

“People with heart or respiratory disease, such as asthma, should stay indoors and rest as much as possible. Unnecessary trips should be postponed,” it added.

Aside from Bago City, the DENR EMB Western Visayas said a station in Barangay Ara-al in La Carlota City also recorded an air quality that was “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

“People with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit outdoor physical exertion,” the DENR EMB Western Visayas said.

Hazards

For its monitoring, the bureau is checking the pollutant Particulate Matter 10 (PM10). 

PM10 is a microscopic matter suspended in the air that is 10 micrometers or less such as dust from paved and unpaved roadways, according to the DENR.

While some of these particles can be filtered by the body, these can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, the Department added.

On Monday, an explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano, producing a voluminous plume that rapidly rose to 4,000 meters.

Ashfall was reported and pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the slopes of the volcano.

The EMB Western Visayas earlier warned residents affected by the volcano’s activity that exposure to ashfall may result in respiratory problems, eye irritation, skin irritation, and injury.

Concerned individuals should limit outdoor activities, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, the bureau said.

Protection

Affected residents have been advised to wear N95 masks or similar protection and goggles if they need to go outside. They should also use long-sleeved clothing to protect their skin.

Windows, doors, and ventilation systems must be closed to prevent ash from entering their houses.

Affected residents were also advised to refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary as ash can reduce visibility and damage vehicle engines.

They are also told to avoid touching or rubbing ash-covered surfaces with bare hands and use damp cloths to clean surfaces.

At the same time, water containers should be covered and food should be washed thoroughly to avoid contamination, the EMB Western Visayas said.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News