Haze stalks GenSan, Koronadal; DOH issues health advisory

The air quality in haze-plagued Koronadal and General Santos cities remained at safe levels but showed an increase in dust and smoke particles in the air over the past week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported yesterday.

DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Director for SOCSKSARGEN Ma. Socorro Lanto said the ambient air quality monitoring stations in Koronadal and General Santos cities have revealed an “increasing trend” in dust and smoke particles brought about by the haze from Indonesian forest fires.

Health precautions The haze in Mindanao may not be as alarming as in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia but Lanto advised the public to take precaution as it could cause problem to those with respiratory illnesses.

“Based on the data provided by the monitoring device, it is not alarming nonetheless, the public should take precaution particularly people with respiratory problem. The Department of Health in the region has already issued an advisory,” Lanto said.

Increased pollution As of Wednesday, October 21, readings from air quality monitoring stations in Koronadal and General Santos cities have shown that particulate matter (PM) 10 or pollutants with diameter of 10 micrometers or less was at 91.22 micrograms per normal cubic meter.

Meanwhile, PM 2.5, which are finer particles from smoke and haze, was recorded at 62.96 micrograms per normal cubic meter.