By Ivana Janlee A. Otoc MindaNews
THE presence of high levels of particulate matter (PM) in the air from a forest fire in Kalimantan, the Indonesian side of Borneo, has not only formed a thick haze in several parts of Northern Mindanao; it has also prompted authorities to warn the public against possible health hazards.
Based on the 24-hour rolling average monitoring as of September 3, the monitoring station of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region X in Cagayan de Oro recorded a PM2.5 reading of 133, classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
Fine particles that have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less are small enough to pass deep into a person’s lungs and blood.
In a statement, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) – DENR X, said the reading indicates greater risks for people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, who should limit outdoor exposure.
Higher readings were recorded in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and Iligan City, with PM2.5 levels of 234 and 244, respectively.
According to EMB-X, this means people with heart and respiratory illnesses should remain indoors, rest, postpone unnecessary trips, curtail industrial activities, avoid heavy traffic areas, and restrict motor vehicle use.
EMB X urged the public to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions, including limiting prolonged outdoor activities and wearing a well-fitting N95 mask if exposure to polluted air cannot be avoided.
The bureau also emphasized the importance of monitoring official air-quality updates as conditions may change throughout the day.
The 24-hour rolling average is continuously updated as new pollution measurements are recorded. Each new hourly reading is added to the calculation while the oldest reading is removed, allowing the reported value to reflect the most recent 24-hour period.
Meanwhile, a separate EMB Region X monitoring update on September 2 also reported “Very Unhealthy” conditions in Tagoloan and “Acutely Unhealthy” conditions in Iligan City, while Maramag, Bukidnon recorded a “Fair” reading on August 31.
EMB X has continued to encourage communities to stay informed about air-quality conditions, particularly during periods when haze and particulate pollution are present.
Northern Mindanao covers the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro.
