Gov’t taps Unioil for air quality monitoring stations in M. Manila

Independent oil player Unioil Petroleum Philippines had struck a deal with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the installment of additional air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) across Metro Manila.

This marks the DENR’s first partnership with a private company in terms of monitoring air pollution, which has been a major challenge to the agency.

“This is the first time that an industry, as big as Unioil, is now helping the department in addressing this kind of problem,” Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones said.

“Air quality is not only the concern of the government; it is the concern of each and every one to address this major environmental problem,” he added.

The AQMS to be installed under the DENR-Unioil accord will use state-of-the-art equipment or sensors powered by AirVisual application, which has been described as the world’s smartest air quality monitor that helps track, foresee and take action against invisible threats in the air.

The equipment can measure levels of particulate matter (PM) 2..5 or particle pollution less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and carbon dioxide, as well as temperature and humidity.

The collected data will be transmitted live to the web and later to the central server of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau.

PM2.5 is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that get into the air. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health problems. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a greenhouse gas that traps heat and warms the planet, thus contributing to climate change.

As of now, all 17 cities and municipality in Metro Manila have at least one AQMS.