Metro Cebu’s Air Quality Remain ‘Fair’ to ‘Good’ – DENR 7

The air quality indices of Metro Cebu continues to be within a range of either ‘fair’ or ‘good’, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 statement released Thursday said.

The Environment Management Bureau (EMB) 7 of DENR 7 issued the report even as portions of Cebu City were experiencing a haze-like episode as a result of forest fires in Indonesia.

In a result of the October 1 and 2 ambient air quality monitoring report, the total suspended particulate (TSP) matter based on a 24-hour average showed 69; 108; 33; and 83 micrograms per normal cubic meter (µg/Ncm).

This means that the air is safe, clean and healthy and does not reach the unhealthy or hazardous levels, the statement said.

The DENR 24-hour guideline value is 230 µg/Ncm with air quality indices ranging from 81 to 230 µg/Ncm which is considered ‘fair.’

The region has five monitoring stations for the ambient air quality specific on the measurement of TSP and particulate matter (PM10) using manual methods once every six days with a minimum of 48 sampling days in a year.

The five monitoring stations include DENR 7 Compound, Greenplains Subdivision, Banilad, Mandaue City and Cornilla Lao Residence, a boundary between Barangays Inuburan and Langtad, Naga City for TSP measurement.

The other monitoring stations are the Mabolo Police Station in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, and Cebu Business Park (CBP), Cebu City for PM10 measurement, and Crown Regency in Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City.

The results for the CBP and Mabolo stations revealed ‘good’ air quality status as they recorded an annual geometric mean of 37 µg/Ncm, and 50 µg/Ncm for PM10.

The DENR 7 said public awareness and participation remain key factors in achieving and maintaining a level of air quality that protects the environment and human health, especially in most densely populated area.

The DENR 7 through the EMB7 has been regularly monitoring the situation by getting samples as they assure the public that the air quality is within standards set forth in the Philippine Clean Air Act.

TSPs refer to the amount of solid pollutants such as dust and soot in the air, with the guideline level at 90 µg/Ncm.

TSP’s natural sources include soil, bacteria and sources, fungi, molds and yeast, pollen, salt particles from evaporating sea water.

Human sources include combustion products from space heating, industrial processes, and power generation. (PNA) FFC/EB/PR/EDS