Air pollution deaths 3rd highest in PH

Health experts urge the government to develop a plan to improve air quality as about 45.3 of
100,000 Filipinos die due to air pollution

MANILA, Philippines – Health experts on Wednesday, July 25, urged the government to
develop a plan for improving air quality as the country had the 3rd highest number of deaths due
to air pollution, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A WHO study released in May 2018 said there were about 45.3 deaths per 100,0000 individuals
due to outdoor air pollution. China ranked first at 81.5 deaths recorded while Mongolia was
second at 48.8 deaths

In a statement, Dr. Roger Dazo, outgoing CAMANAVA Governor of the Philippine Medical
Association said, “45.3 deaths per 100,000 Filipinos due to air pollution is 45.3 Filipinos too
many. We can’t afford to lose our countrymen to preventable health problems it brings like heart
disease and stroke."

According to WHO, of the 7 million deaths related to air pollution, 2.2 million were caused by
heart disease or stroke. (READ: 9 out of 10 people breathing polluted air – WHO)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia were other leading causes.

“Air pollution is not just an environmental problem—it is a health menace too,” said Health Care
Without Harm Executive Direct Ramon San Pascual.

To address the situation, experts said the government and the public should look to using
renewable energy sources instead of coal and fossil fuels.

Outdoor air pollution was mainly caused by “inefficient energy use in households, industries, the
agriculture and transport sectors, as well as coal-fired power plants,” WHO said.

Former Department of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said efforts should be focused on
addresing root causes of health problems in order to prevent deaths.
Impact of air pollution in human health,
environment
By Susan C. Aro Published on May 19, 2018

Air pollution is a concern which poses threat to human health and likewise greatly impacts the
ecosystem and the environment.

An expert on air quality and pollution, Environment and Management Bureau Consultant Engr.
Reynaldo Tejada shares his knowledge on the impact of air quality and pollution in human
health, the ecosystem and the environment in a presentation held here recently on air modeling in
the Baguio-La Trinidad- Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay areas.

Even with the passage of the Clean Air Act which puts in place air pollution control and policy,
Tejada said there are reasons why one should be concerned in air pollution as it poses significant
threat to the human health and atmosphere.

Its effect in the human body leads to various health-related diseases such as respiratory disease,
decreased lung functions, cancers, eye and throat irritation, he adds. At high risk are children and
elderly and those individuals with asthma and cardiopulmonary diseases.

As to the impact on the ecosystem and the environment, it affects vegetation leading to reduction
of agricultural yields. There is reduced production due to emission of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
and sulfur oxide (SO2), said Tejada. Both elements create acid rain which reduces agricultural
yield.

Chemical pollutants such as industrial and agricultural chemicals likewise contribute to climate
change.

Sources of air pollution are anthropogenic and natural sources. Anthropogenic or man-made
sources such as those which are stationary like chimneys, mobile sources like vehicle emissions
and area sources emanating from forest fires, kaingin or burn and slash, and cigarette smoke.
Examples of natural sources are those emitted by volcanoes.

Impact of air pollution is categorized into local, regional and global scale. If local, there is a need
to measure criteria of pollutant as established by the government to determine exposure level
everyday to a certain limit and certain pollutant within a particular timeframe, said Tejada.

Locally, particulate matters (PM) are produced from combustions of motor vehicles, furnaces,
chimneys, including construction activities. These particulates are inhaled categorized into total
suspended particulate (TSP) an example of which is the booger that accumulates in the nostrils,
PM 2.5 which are particles measuring less than 2.5 µm (micrometres) while PM 10 are
particulate matters 10 micrometers or less in diameter.
These particulate matters which affect the body may pass through the nasopharynx,
tracheobronchial until the pulmonary system, depending on the type of pollutant an individual
inhales. The PM2.5, generally described as fine particles, is dangerous which cannot be
eliminated but sticks in the lungs and accumulates, said Tejada.

He cited a study comparing lungs of two persons who died in Manila and from the province. The
one from Manila has color black lungs while from the province color red which is an indication
of heavy pollution in Manila compared to the province.

Tejada cited a case of a PM10 particulate if released in the air at the height of one meter without
air movement will take more than four months before it reaches the ground. It means, without
air movement, it is suspended in the air and a lot of it is inhaled. But if there is air movement, a
little of the particulates are inhaled, he explained.

Another realization he shared is that, there are more PM10 and PM2.5 inhaled indoors due to
static air movement while more TSP than PM10 or PM2.5 inhaled outdoors due to presence of
air movement which dissipates the particulates.

His advice is: when purchasing or building a house, proper ventilation should be one of the
factors for consideration. Installation of exhaust fans is also one way of depleting particulates
inside homes, he added.

For big industries, they are required to have a workplace environment monitoring (WEM) to
determine concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 based on the Department of Labor and
Employment standards.

The regional impact otherwise known as transboundary air pollutants are those which travel afar
such as forest fires, for instance, the one that occurred in Indonesia in 2005. The haze went as far
as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

The global effect of air pollution is global warming, greenhouse gases effect and ozone
depletion, he further adds.

The principle of garbage in garbage out applies to air pollution, said Tejada. “If you pollute the
air, the air will pollute you”, he lamented. (ALT/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1008049
WHO: 9 in 10 people breathing polluted air
Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) - October 28, 2018 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The very air we breathe is growing dangerously polluted as the world gets hotter and more
crowded, with engines continuing to pump out dirty emissions, the World Health Organization (WHO) said
yesterday.

In a statement, the WHO pointed out that nine out of 10 people now breathe polluted air, which also kills seven
million people every year.

“The health effects of air pollution are serious – one third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are
due to air pollution,” WHO said.

This is an equivalent effect to that of smoking tobacco and much higher than the effects of eating too much salt.

“Air pollution is hard to escape, no matter how rich an area you live in. It is all around us,” it added.

WHO said microscopic pollutants in the air can slip past our body’s defenses, penetrating deep into our respiratory
and circulatory system, damaging our lungs, heart and brain.

The lack of visible smog, WHO said, “is no indication that the air is healthy.”

Across the world, both cities and villages are seeing toxic pollutants in the air exceed the average annual values
recommended by WHO’s air quality guidelines.

To address the worsening pollution, WHO and its partners are convening the first Global Conference on Air
Pollution and Health in Geneva on Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 “to rally the world towards major commitments to fight this
problem.”

The conference is aimed at raising awareness of the growing public health challenge and share information and tools
on the health risks of air pollution and its interventions.

WHO added there are two main types of pollution –ambient air pollution (outdoor pollution) and household (or
indoor) air pollution, which is generated by household combustion of fuels.

Household pollution is caused burning fuel such as coal, wood or kerosene using open fires or basic stoves in poorly
ventilated spaces.

Both indoor and outdoor air pollution can contribute to each other, as air moves from inside buildings to the outside,
and vice versa.

Data showed household air pollution kills some four million people a year and tends to affect countries in Africa and
Asia.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/28/1863782/who-9-10-people-breathing-polluted-air
Air pollution: A public health concern in the Philippines
Sunday, 24 September 2017 00:00 |

On World Environmental Health Day on September 26, 2017, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health
Organization (WHO) Philippines jointly highlight the environmental risk of indoor and outdoor
air pollution to the health of Filipinos.

Air pollution is an environmental health risk around the world with 92% of the world’s
population exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO’s ambient air quality guidelines.
People in urban areas are more exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution than those in rural
areas. Air pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon, found in both indoor and outdoor
settings, are extremely dangerous to people’s health.When the size of the particulate matter in the
air is 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) and below, it penetrates to a person’s lungs and cardiovascular
system.

According to WHO,the safe level for PM2.5is10 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) of air in a
year. In Manila, the annual average of these pollutants is at 17 μg/m3, 70 percent more than the
recommended safe level.

Globally, over six million deaths are linked to indoor and outdoor pollution due to non-
communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory
diseasesevery year. In the Philippines, about 1 in 4 deaths are attributed to air pollution.

The DENR, DOH, and WHO are taking steps to decrease the environmental health risk of air
pollution including improving the linkage of air quality and health monitoring, reviewing the air
quality index, and strengthening the health impact assessment for projects and activities that may
cause air pollution. Starting this year until 2019, the Philippine government also leads the
regional forum on health and environment, bringing together countries in the Asia-Pacific
Region where air pollution is one of the agenda

“Air pollution affects each and every one of us,” said Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. “We
need stronger coordination and wider collaboration so we can once and for all solve our air
pollution problem.”

https://www.denr.gov.ph/news-and-features/latest-news/3295-air-pollution-a-public-health-
concern-in-the-philippines.html
PH ranks second in WHO list for deadly indoor pollution in Asia Pacific
By CNN Philippines Staff

Updated 09:09 AM PHT Wed, May 2, 2018

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) — The Philippines is the Asia Pacific region's second
deadliest country for household air pollution, according to the study of the World Health
Organization (WHO).

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is currently the deadliest country in Asia Pacific for
household or indoor air pollution.

Indoor air pollution, caused by cooking with kerosene and solid fuels such as wood in polluting
stoves, open fires and lamps, has been linked to deaths among women and children.

"Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized people bear the brunt of the
burden," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "If we don't take
urgent action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving sustainable development."

As for outdoor or ambient air pollution, the Philippines ranks as the third deadliest country in the
Asia Pacific Region, according to the study. China still tops the most hazardous country when it
comes to outdoor pollution, followed by Mongolia.

Outdoor air pollution are caused by pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon, which
pose the greatest risks to human health. Air quality can also be influenced by natural elements
such as geographical, meteorological and seasonal factors, the report added.

One third of global air pollution deaths in Asia Pacific

WHO also reported that around one third, or 2.2 million of the world's 7 million premature
deaths each year from household and ambient air pollution are in the WHO Western Pacific
Region-home to one quarter of the world's population.

"Air pollution is the most lethal environmental health threat in our Region, and it affects people
in middle-income countries at a much higher rate than those in high-income countries," said Dr.
Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.

"Addressing air pollution and climate change are top priorities for WHO in the Western Pacific
Region, but they are not challenges that individuals or the health sector alone can solve. We need
urgent action across energy, agriculture, transport, housing and beyond to ensure a healthy and
sustainable future," he added.
According to the study, 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe air containing high levels of
pollutants. Polluted air penetrates deep into their lungs and cardiovascular system. Among the
2.2 million air pollution-related deaths in this region in 2016, 29 percent were due to heart
disease, 27 percent stroke, 22 percent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14 percent lung
cancer and 8 percent pneumonia.

WHO, meanwhile, sees more governments are committed to monitor and reduce air
pollution. Later this year, WHO will convene the first Global Conference on Air Pollution and
Health, bringing together governments and partners in a global effort to improve air quality and
combat climate change.

Vehicles are the top contributor to air pollution in the

Philippines – DENR
by UNTV News | Posted on Tuesday, June 14th, 2016

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Measures to improve air quality in the Philippines are among
the priority agenda at the ongoing 8th Annual Clean Air forum of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The discussion points to vehicle emission as the leading factor that contributes 69% to the
country’s air pollution.

90% of which comes from Metro Manila.

Based on records of DENR, the current rate of air pollution has declined by about 20%.

However, it is still more than the allowable level stated in the Clean Air Act.

Based on records of the Land Transportation Office, more than 6,000 vehicles have been added
on the road from 2012 to 2014.

“It [pollution] worsens because the number of vehicle is increasing; the population is growing;
the roads are getting congested and structures are getting higher. These are some factors why air
pollution remains on the ground and not dispersing,” explained Rene Pineda, Partnership for
Clean Air president.
In 2013, more than three million developed respiratory diseases due to air pollution but the
number has lowered by 29% in the past 3 years.

“It aggravates the respiratory diseases like asthma. And it allegedly cause pregnancy defects,”
said Eva Ocfemia, Assistant Director of Environmental Management Bureau – DENR.

The government is now penalizing violators of Clean Air Act through the no-contact anti-smoke
belching operation. As of today, the government has apprehended almost 9,000 firms for failing
the emission standards and for operating without proper permits.

DENR advised to use cleaner fuel to lessen pollution.

“The Euro2 fuel that we use has 500ppm in terms of sulfur dioxide emission. If we use Euro4 it
further downgrades emission level to 50ppm only,” Ocfemia said.

The public may also contribute in reducing air pollution by not smoking, by walking or using
bicycle for short distances or riding the mass transport system.

It is also better to recycle your garbage instead of burning it.

https://www.untvweb.com/news/vehicles-top-contributor-air-pollution-
philippines-denr/
Air pollution is more harmful than you think
Published July 16, 2017, 12:05 AM
By Alfredo N. Mendoza V

Air pollution may be one of the most dangerous aspects of public health that we underestimate and
ignore. But there is no doubt that we should take air pollution seriously, especially when we
realize that it can factor in the deterioration of anyone’s health far worse than we once know.

This National Science Week, air quality takes center stage again since the promulgation of the
Clean Air Act of 1999. We explore the other implications in being aware and really understanding
air pollution through the expertise of Mylene Gonzaga-Cayetano, Ph.D., one of the country’s
leading experts in air quality.

Dr. Gonzaga-Cayetano is an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of

Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP-IESM), where she has been teaching for 12
years now. Gonzaga-Cayetano is also the deputy director for academic affairs in the same
institute. Aside from her administrative role, she is also a full-time researcher, supervising and
spearheading UP-IESM’s efforts in air quality research.

Air quality data

She, along with her team, gathers air quality data around the country, which tell where they
originate from, and the kind of pollutants that are in the air. They then publish these studies in the
hopes that they would translate to viable strategies and campaigns for policy-making.

According to Gonzaga-Cayetano, air pollution is an issue we must take seriously, considering that
they pose a hazard to health more gravely than most of us might think. Her goal is to mainstream
scientific knowledge of air quality into academic learning for students, and to make Filipinos
understand why we should be aware of air pollution.

The primary concern of her work and research is the presence of organic compounds in the air
called persistent organic pollutants or POPs. POPs are organic compounds that mimic the
structure of bodily hormones. They’re so small that they can be absorbed in the blood
stream through breathing.

There are many subtypes of POPs, but all of them are carcinogenic, mainly because the body
mistakes them from being natural hormones. And these POPs can come from a lot of common
materials and objects like aerosols, fire retardants, electrical coatings in electronics, insecticides,
anti-malaria and dengue fumigators, and other combustible materials like cigarettes and
agricultural byproducts. The list doesn’t end there. As science progresses further, the more we
learn about emerging POPs.
“The alarming thing is that these [POPs] are the ones that really last in the environment. For
example, if the POPs were emitted in the 1980s, they would still persist to this day. Our
transformers before, the recognizable drum transformers, once contained PCBs—
polychlorinatedbyphenics as its transformer oil. When emitted, they become POPs. Now they are
banned, thanks to the Stockholm Convention. I was interested because PCBs are part of POPs, and
the methods of testing them are the same with collecting particulate matter,” Gonzaga-Cayetano
said.

Personal advocacy

She takes the study of air quality not only as a profession, but a personal advocacy. Her lab
constantly updates their work on the model of air pollution in Metro Manila. She also
concentrates on local and international projects such as Dispersion Modelling of Particulate
Matter in Metro Manila, and Air Quality Programs for Smaller Cities.

Before graduating BS Chemistry from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Gonzaga-
Cayetano had tuberculosis, which made her stop her studies for a time. After recovering, she
became interested in the study of particulate matter made by photocopiers.

“What I found out during that time, the lead content in the air was high. Particulate iron levels
were also high in the air, but iron is a macronutrient—this was in 1999. And maybe, at that time,
leaded fuels were not yet banned. I was able to conclude that iron was a component of the toner,
and lead was still questionable. Though the lead levels from the toner itself are low, which may
have come from the outside,” she said.

After graduating from UP, Mylene worked at the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)
for one year as a water quality chemist before applying for a master’s degree in the same university.
After her job at the LLDA, Gonzaga-Cayetano become a lab analyst at the Natural Science
Research Institute, which is also in UP. During her pursuit of her Master’s, while working as a
lab analyst, she became interested in PCBs. It eventually became the subject of her master’s thesis
in 2007.

“My professor, Dr. Santiago, was the head of the lab where I work, and she was also interested in
research. So she was involved in a study before, the Global Atmospheric Pollution (GAP)
study. But I also helped her find that contact because I wanted to continue my study on the topic,
too. But at that time, there were very few scientists who were working in the field of air
quality,” she explained.

From her newly acquired Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Gonzaga-Cayetano

jumpstarted to her Ph.D. in Korea at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology.
After acquiring her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering, Gonzaga-Cayetano
returned to the university to continue her research, as well as help in the establishment of a
movement of the country’s air quality experts.
Alarming results, better initiatives

The primary movement toward the improvement of air quality revolves around the Clean Air Act
of 1999,which the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led in terms of execution.

In 2005, there was a global campaign initiated by Environment Canada and the University of
Lancaster—they wanted to know the baseline of POPs all over the world, including Manila. After
Gonzaga-Cayetano, then a master’s student, contacted them so that they might be able to test the
air quality of Manila, the results gathered were surprising.

“They used air samplers and, at the same time, we prototyped those samplers so we can have more
than one and then it was time to map out the air quality in Metro Manila—we placed three in Metro
Manila and then in Taytay, Bulacan, and Laguna. What we found out is that we have high levels
of PCBs. You’ll be surprised by how high PCBs were in some places like in UP,” said Gonzaga-
Cayetano, who is also an author of seven SCI-rated papers and journals, and resource speaker to
various lectures and conferences in the country.

With this situation, DOST felt the need to gather all experts in air quality and craft an air quality
roadmap together with other stakeholder groups like Clean Air Asia, an international
NGO dedicated to improving air quality, and Partnership for Clean Air Philippines (PCA), a non-
stock and non-profit corporation composed of individuals of various disciplines, which is the main
policy planning arm of the group. The group thenformed and called itself RESCueAir—
Researchers for Clean Air.

“After that, the DOST then wanted RESCueAir to form a roadmap for air quality research.
Together with the Department of National Resources (DENR), the MMDA, and other relevant
agencies, we have defined our goals in our road map—to identify the gaps in air quality research
and improve research, on how we can, with our current initiatives, fill in the gaps and the much
needed researches and to create projects from which we will measure results, too—what will
happen to the air quality when these projects are put in place? These are the goals and questions
of our new formation,” said Gonzaga-Cayetano.

“Through the roadmap, we plan to translate all our findings into public policy. DOST has a stake in
the Clean Air Act—anything that has to do with the research in relation to the Clean Air Act,
DOST is the go-to. Now we have a chance because anything the DOST does in the future, should
be reflected in the Clean Air Act,” she added.

Social awareness

Scientific research is one thing, translating it to understandable terms is another. And people,
though they recognize that there is air pollution, they do not acknowledge it for the threat it really
is.

To know how badly needed the study of air quality is, Gonzaga-Cayetano and her team at the UP-
IESM conducted a study on the amount of emissions of jeepneys and tricycles. In their study, PM
2.5 Emissions from Jeepney and Tricycles, it has been found out that, in a year, a jeepney spouts
out about 22.07 tons of emissions, while a tricycle, 22.55 tons—that’s the equivalent of almost
800 (50kg) bags of cement, each year—800 bags of particulate matter and possibly POPs thrown
into the atmosphere each year by two vehicles. Now imagine that for every vehicle in the country.

And it’s not only vehicles, a study from abroad found out that household air pollution (soot, smoke
from stoves and grills, and other sources or burning in the housefold) is the fifth leading burden of
disease, after alcohol use and being exposed to secondhand smoke.

Which is why the good doctor and her husband, who is an IT engineer, developed an app, which
would determine the quality of air in Metro Manila in real time.

Air-monitoring app

The Air Quality Monitoring System (AQMS), which is free and available to iOS and Android
smartphones, only has four locations currently, but with support from the local and public sector,
it could monitor air quality throughout the Metro more accurately. AQMS also advises its users
on what to do during high levels of air pollution.

“Ordinary people should know that air pollution exists—the problem is we do not feel it. We will
only be concerned about it if we’re already affected—when we’re sneezing, coughing, but still,
even with these symptoms we won’t associate them with air pollution. I mean, for example, people
would still associate them with something else—which they caught from another person, or
anything besides air pollution. Because it can’t be seen, it’s not taken seriously. Even lung cancer,
it’s difficult for people to associate it with air pollution. As we progress with science, we discover
more things that can harm our bodies. It doesn’t seek to scare us or anything, but that’s how
science is,” Gonzaga-Cayetano said.

She also explained that the body might not be able to develop a natural resistance toward air
pollution because air pollution is mostly synthetic industrial waste. “These are
anthropogenic (human-made) substances, so the human activities must consider sustainability,
cleaner technologies, and environment-friendly methods. I don’t think we can develop a natural
resistance for these pathogens—people must not adapt to air pollution, because we
must eliminate air pollution,” she said.

Another aspect is geography. Gonzaga-Cayetano said that the Philippines is luckier than other
countries because it is an archipelago with no land borders and has a monsoonal season; and rain
washes away pollutants from the air. “Relatively, the country is luckier than others because our
season is monsoonal and it often rains here. So during monsoons the pollutants get washed off.
Unlike in other countries where they have four seasons, the pollutants get trapped between
the atmosphere and the ground, and it takes about one to two weeks before it dissipates,” she said

National and personal commitment

After this, the only advantage we have against deteriorating air quality is knowledge and the Clean
Air Act of 1999. Though we are committed in the reduction of carbon emissions, as we are a
signatory to the recently conducted Paris Climate Agreement, in our provinces, the sources
of air pollution still persist because they are mostly from burning—pagsisiga, and the burning of
agricultural byproducts, and such acts are hard to break because they are already embedded in
tradition and superstition.

While Dr. Gonzaga-Cayetano and her peers are at the forefront of the scientific innovation, what
can we do as ordinary individuals? We must always bear in mind that the air that we breathe is the
same as for everyone else in the world, and what we do with it may affect others breathing it. It
may be hard to dispose of habits like smoking, idling your car, pagsisisga, but these small habits
affect everyone in a huge way, especially when we know that some substances can persist up to
many decades. Let’s take our cue from the motto of RESCueAir—
Malinis ang hangin, dahil sa akin!(Because of me, the air is clean!).

Air Quality in Metro Manila, Philippines

[Book Chapter] Villarin, J.T. J. Simpas, G. Lorenzo and M.T. Cruz. 2014. Air Quality in Metro Manila,
Philippines. In Kim Oanh, N.T. (Editor) Improving Air Quality in Asian Developing Countries: Compilation
of Research Findings. NARENCA.

Chapter 6

ABSTRACT

Metro Manila is the most densely populated and most urbanized region in the country. It is the
financial, industrial, and commercial hub of the Philippines. Air quality management in the
region is mandated to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources though other institutions like the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
and Manila Observatory are also doing monitoring work. Monitoring data show that TSP levels
have exceeded the annual National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Value while PM2.5 levels
have exceeded the WHO annual and daily guideline values. Several steps have been taken
regarding air quality management. Examples of these measures are setting emission standards for
mobile and stationary sources, anti-smoke belching campaigns, and phasing out of leaded
gasoline. However, much still needs to be done. Some of these are the establishment of PM2.5
guideline values, promotion of alternative means of transportation, improvement and expansion
of the public transport system, proper implementation of vehicle inspection and maintenance,
stricter implementation of anti-smoke belching campaign, and better traffic management.
Philippines General Health Risks:
Air Pollution
Among the cities reporting to the World Health Organization, the following have high
levels of particulate matter contributing to poor air quality: Baguio, Cebu and Manila.

Description

Outdoor air pollution is a mix of chemicals, particulate matter, and biological materials that react
with each other to form tiny hazardous particles. It contributes to breathing problems, chronic
diseases, increased hospitalization, and premature mortality.

The concentration of particulate matter (PM) is a key air quality indicator since it is the most
common air pollutant that affects short term and long term health. Two sizes of particulate matter
are used to analyze air quality; fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 µm or PM2.5 and
coarse particles with a diameter of less than 10 µm or PM10. PM2.5 particles are more
concerning because their small size allows them to travel deeper into the cardiopulmonary
system.

The World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines recommend that the annual mean
concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 10 µm/m3 and 20 µm/m3 for PM10.

Risk

Cities and rural areas worldwide are affected by air pollution. When planning a trip, consider
health status, age, destination, length of trip and season to mitigate the effects of air pollution.

Symptoms

Short term symptoms resulting from exposure to air pollution include itchy eyes, nose and throat,
wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, nausea, and upper respiratory
infections (bronchitis and pneumonia). It also exacerbates asthma and emphysema. Long term
effects include lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illness, and developing
allergies. Air pollution is also associated with heart attacks and strokes.

Prevention

 Comply with air pollution advisories - ask around and observe what locals are doing and avoid
strenuous activities.
 Travellers with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should carry an inhaler,
antibiotic, or oral steroid - consult your doctor to see what is best for you.
 Older travellers with pre-existing conditions should get a physical exam that includes a stress
and lung capacity test prior to departure.
  Newborns and young children should minimize exposure as much as possible or consider not
travelling to areas with poor air quality.
 Ask your medical practitioner if a face mask is advisable for you.

https://www.iamat.org/country/philippines/risk/air-pollution

How bad is air pollution in the Philippines?

Published on June 18, 2018 by Rafael Ambag

What is one thing that you cannot live without?

It’s an admittedly tricky question. When not taken literally, you can have a plethora of answers:
food, water, friends, love, and even sense of purpose. Apart from those items (and abstract
concepts), however, there is one simple thing that we need 24/7, day in and day out: the air we
breathe.

We breathe all the time, and we don’t even have to do it consciously in the first place. This
crucial task — one that is absolutely necessary for our continued survival — has been hardwired
in our brains through our autonomic nervous system, the system designated to maintain the
functions in our bodies that we do not perform consciously: breathing, the beating of our hearts,
and even the digestion of the food we eat.

On average, adult humans have respiration rates ranging from 12 to 16 breaths per minute.
That’s 16 opportunities per minute for an adult to get the oxygen they need for the proper
functioning of their body. However, that also means 16 opportunities per minute for harmful
chemicals in the air to get inside the body and cause a multitude of complications.

A primer on air pollution

Based on 2016 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), 91% of the world’s
population reside in locations that don’t meet WHO’s imposed air quality standards. According
to WHO’s estimates, approximately 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2016 were caused by
outdoor air pollution.

Before we delve into this further, it helps to ask: What is air pollution?

Air pollution can be defined as the presence of harmful chemicals in the air we breathe —
chemicals that can hamper one’s good health. Said chemicals are products of myriad
anthropogenic activities, such as fuel combustion from vehicles, heat and power generation due
to oil and coal power plants, smoke from manufacturing factories and mines, waste incineration,
and even the simple act of cooking food at home.

These chemicals, also known as pollutants, come in various forms. The largest group is called
particulate matter (PM), which includes particles that comprise sulphates, nitrates, ammonia,
sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and even water. The sizes of these pollutants can
be measured in microns. A micron is a millionth of a meter: picture a meter-long thread divided
into a million equal parts. That’s how small a micron is.

Particulate matter can be further classified according to their size, either as PM10 (less than 10
microns in diameter) or PM2.5 (less than 2.5 microns in diameter). These particles can remain
suspended in air and eventually be inhaled. When this happens, they pass through the airway and
enter the bloodstream, where they can wreak havoc inside the body.

Another pollutant is ground-level ozone, a major product of photochemical smog. This

phenomenon can be observed in China, where cities are inundated with thick smoke consisting
of particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). These components react with each other and sunlight to produce ozone,
which can exacerbate asthma and lead to reduced lung function and other respiratory diseases.

Carbon monoxide, one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog, is often produced from
exhaust from motor engines and machinery that burn fossil fuels. Increased concentration of this
compound in one’s body can damage the body’s ability to transport oxygen to its different parts,
which is critical for all organs in the body. Nitrogen dioxide, another smog component, comes
from emissions from power and industrial generation. WHO states that when introduced
independently into one’s system, it can aggravate symptoms of asthma and bronchitis, which
may escalate to respiratory infections.

As we know, air is comprised of a multitude of compounds, elements, and chemicals. Our

atmosphere contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other obscure
gases. Thus, air pollution levels are usually measured through the individual concentrations of
the pollutants mentioned above. These concentrations are expressed in μg/m3 annually or per 24-
hour mean. An annual mean constitutes the mean for one-hour daily measurements for a year. A
24-hour mean, on the other hand, is the average of all hourly concentration readings over the
span of 24 hours.

In 2005, WHO imposed air quality guidelines to provide thresholds and limits for key air
pollutants that may cause health complications. Based on the guidelines, WHO estimates that
reducing the amount of particulate matter (PM10) to 20 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3)
annually would subsequently decrease air pollution-related mortality rates by 15%. For the
smaller and more harmful variant, PM2.5, they imposed a standard of 10 μg/m3 per annum. In
the case of other pollutants, ozone (O3) has a safety level of 100 μg/m3 for an 8-hour running
mean, while NO2 has a safety level of 40 μg/m3 (annual mean).
At present, the worldwide average concentration for PM2.5 stands at 38 μg/m3, nearly four times
the value of the recommended safety levels.

Air pollution in the Philippines

In the southeast Asian region — where the Philippines is located — the average PM2.5
concentration is 21 μg/m3 annually, over twice the recommended value.

The Philippines’ annual PM2.5 concentration rests at 18.4 μg/m3, according to the 2016 WHO
report. This value is approximately 80% higher than the safe levels indicated by WHO. Aside
from national data, WHO also collected data from the major cities of participating countries.

In fact, out of all the listed cities in the Philippines, Baguio City recorded the highest PM2.5 data
at 44 μg/m3 in 2013 — quadruple the recommended safe level.

Cebu and Dagupan also recorded high values, each with an annual mean of 28 μg/m3 and 27
μg/m3, respectively. Manila’s 17 μg/m3 and Davao’s 11 μg/m3 also exceeded the prescribed
safety level.

All of the listed cities also failed to reach the limit set for particulate matter of 10 microns in size
(PM10). Baguio ranked highest once more, with 84 μg/m3 of PM10, which is also four times the
recommended level. Meanwhile, Cebu, Dagupan, and Manila also failed, registering values of
54, 51, and 55 μg/m3, respectively. While the city of Davao came close to meeting the
prescribed safe level (at 21 μg/m3), it still exceeded the limit.

These numbers have already caught the attention of the government. According to Environment
Secretary Roy Cimatu:

“Air pollution affects each and every one of us…We need stronger coordination and wider
collaboration so we can once and for all solve our air pollution problem.”

Meanwhile, WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Gundo Weller stated:

“Air pollution continues to pose a dangerous threat to the health of the Filipinos, especially those
living in urbanized communities…With the health and environment sectors, we are working
together to reduce the harmful impact of these environmental risks to people’s health and well-
being.”

The Philippines is currently pushing back against air pollution through the implementation of
various laws and ordinances. One of these is Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air
Act of 1999. RA 8749 currently serves as the foundation for the country’s air quality
management. It aims to raise awareness about pollution prevention through programs such as
Linis/Ligtas Hangin, coupled with Bantay Tambutso, Bantay Tsimnea, and Bantay Sunog. The
RA also aims to enforce regulatory standards upon stationary sources of pollution, such as
factories and power plants. RA 8749 encompasses the cooperation of agencies such as the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Transportation
and Communication (DOTC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Energy (DOE), and many others.

In 2019, the country is slated to lead the regional forum on health and environment in the Asia-
Pacific region.

Mitigating the damage: What next?

One cannot help but wonder, though, if our country is really doing enough.

This year, researchers at Yale and Columbia Universities along with the World Economic Forum
released a new Environmental Performance Index (EPI). The report ranked 180 countries based
on various performance indicators on 10 issues regarding the health of the environment and its
viability. It also provided a scale showing how a particular country is accomplishing (or ‘close to
accomplishing’) its established environmental policies. According to the report, air quality
remains the top environmental problem — a fact made evident by the increasing urbanization
and industrialization of large countries such as India and China.

The 2018 EPI ranks the Philippines as 82nd out of 180 countries, indicating that our country has
a higher health rating than China (120), Thailand (121), Vietnam (132), and Indonesia (133).
However, while our country ranked 43rd in the Air Pollution category, we were still ranked
111th in terms of Air Quality due to the use of solid fuels in households.

In reality, the Philippines continues to struggle in establishing a firm grasp on air quality control.
There has been a steep rise in the number of vehicles operating in the country, subsequently
contributing to the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere. Other anthropogenic activities, such
as the use of fireworks and firecrackers, also take a toll on the environment. On Jan 1, 2017,
several areas in Manila recorded tremendously high levels of PM2.5. Ateneo de Manila
University (369 μg/nm), Taft Avenue (448 μg/nm), and Paranaque (433 μg/nm) were at levels
way beyond the safe limit (50 μg/nm). This year, however, the DENR reported that air pollution
levels on New Year’s Eve dropped significantly.

The Philippines is a developing country that has to deal with many socio-economic and
developmental issues. In the face of these issues, some are concerned that over the past two years
and in spite of the current administration’s promises, environmental protection appears to have
taken a backseat. The government, of course, is responsible for creating and enforcing policies
and laws so that its citizens may breathe clean air, as well as enjoy all natural resources based on
the principles of sustainable development.

The effects of pollution are evident and undeniable. This is particularly observable in Metro
Manila, due in no small part to the sheer volume of vehicular smoke that practically envelops it.
On top of that, our country continues to depend on energy harnessed from coal power plants, a
fact bemoaned by environmentalists due to the known impact of coal-fired power plants on air
pollution levels.
We face a real problem in this dire situation, as we have no choice but to breathe in, regardless of
the quality of the air where we reside. Think about it: At this very minute, there are 16
opportunities for the pollutants in the air to enter our bodies. Pollutants that negatively affect the
quality of our lives and reduce the time we can spend on this beautiful, albeit polluted, planet. –
MF

References:

 http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.152?lang=en
 http://apps.who.int/gho/data/view.main.SDGPM25UNREGION6v?lang=en
 http://business.inquirer.net/243956/coal-remain-dominant-ph-energy-mix
 https://www.denr.gov.ph/news-and-features/latest-news/3295-air-pollution-a-public-health-
concern-in-the-philippines.html
 https://www.denr.gov.ph/news-and-features/latest-news/51-air-pollution-management.html
 https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/993
 https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/air/
 https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/air/air-pollution/pm25-particles-in-air/what-
are-one-hour-and-24-hour-averages
 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/cardiovascular_diseases/vital_signs
_body_temperature_pulse_rate_respiration_rate_blood_pressure_85,P00866
 http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/18/new-year-air-pollution-level-in-metro-manila-drops-
denr
 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/917326/environmental-activists-on-duterte-sona-less-talk-more-
action
 https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know
 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/416879/
 https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/faq?question=20
 http://www.who.int/airpollution/ambient/en/
 http://www.who.int/airpollution/ambient/health-impacts/en/
 http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

Ambient air pollution: Health impacts

Ambient (outdoor air pollution) is a major cause of death and disease globally. The health effects
range from increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits, to increased risk of
premature death.

An estimated 4.2 million premature deaths globally are linked to ambient air pollution, mainly
from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute
respiratory infections in children.

Worldwide ambient air pollution accounts for:

  29% of all deaths and disease from lung cancer
 17% of all deaths and disease from acute lower respiratory infection
 24% of all deaths from stroke
 25% of all deaths and disease from ischaemic heart disease
 43% of all deaths and disease from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern, include particulate matter (PM),
ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

The health risks associated with particulate matter of less than 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter
(PM10 and PM2.5) are especially well documented. PM is capable of penetrating deep into lung
passageways and entering the bloodstream causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and
respiratory impacts. In 2013, it was classified as a cause of lung cancer by WHO’s International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is also the most widely used indicator to assess the
health effects from exposure to ambient air pollution.

In children and adults, both short- and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution can lead to
reduced lung function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma. Maternal exposure to
ambient air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-
term birth and small gestational age births. Emerging evidence also suggests ambient air
pollution may affect diabetes and neurological development in children. Considering the precise
death and disability toll from many of the conditions mentioned are not currently quantified in
current estimates, with growing evidence, the burden of disease from ambient air pollution is
expected to greatly increase.

Philippines tackles air pollution

Claire Wallerstein

After six years of governmental wrangling and a massive nationwide campaign to gather
signatures, the Philippines—home to one of the world’s most polluted cities—is on the verge of
passing clean air legislation.

The population of Manila has grown faster than that in any other city since 1970 and now stands
at at least 12 million, with 12600 people to each square kilometre. Thousands live in the shadow
of power stations or industrial plants. Smog constantly blankets the city, 2.2 million motor
vehicles form traffic jams, and pedestrians keep handkerchiefs clamped over their mouths and
noses.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), levels of lead in the air in Manila are more
than three times the established safety limit, and concentrations of suspended particulate matter
are also dangerously high. Other pollutants have not been measured.

The priority legislation could be passed within as little as two months and would phase out the
use of leaded fuel within 18 months, reduce industrial emissions, promote recycling, phase out
vehicles over 15 years old, ban incineration, and drastically increase fines for the owners of
polluting vehicles.

Dr Steve Tamplin, WHO regional adviser on environmental health, said: “The crucial question is
whether this legislation will be effectively enforced.” At an average speed of just 7 km/hour,
rush hour traffic in Manila moves more slowly than anywhere else in Asia. Dr Tamplin said that
investing more in overhead light rail systems, which currently cover a single 30 km stretch,
would be the best way of reducing traffic congestion, the biggest source of pollution.

Dr Miguel Celdran, a paediatrician at Makati Medical Center, said: “About 90%of my patients
have respiratory illness, and we’re seeing babies as young as two months suffering from asthma.
Twenty years ago, this was unheard of.”

A recent survey by the Philippine Paediatric Society, which asked doctors to describe the most
common illnesses that they treat, received the same response in every case: diseases of the upper
respiratory tract.

Urine samples from taken from children living and begging on the polluted streets showed that at
least 7%had high lead concentrations.

Dr Celdran said that his mainly middle class clients kept their children indoors, using air ionisers
and filtered air conditioners to improve air quality, but that this resulted in other problems due to
a lack of exercise.

The United Nations estimates that by the year 2000 around half of the world’s population will be
living in urban areas, and the global fleet of motor vehicles is already thought to be more than
800 million.

A WHO report, Urban Air Pollution in Megacities of the World, warns that: “Megacities could
well see increases in their air pollution concentrations of levels as high as 75-100%over the next
decade.”
Metro’s air quality getting worse—study
By: Jocelyn R. Uy - Reporter / @mj_uyINQ

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 06:33 PM August 23, 2015

With the worsening air quality in Metro Manila, commuters who get stuck on the road for hours
and endure long lines to catch a ride in public transportation are exposed to various kinds of
pollutants, making them highly vulnerable to developing respiratory disease and cardiovascular
illnesses, according to health experts.

“Traffic is really bad for our health,” Dr. Anthony Leachon, a cardiologist at Manila Doctors
Hospital and the president of the Philippine College of Physicians Foundation, told the
Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday.

Leachon said air pollution, a major problem particularly in urban centers, could lead to lung
diseases such as bronchitis, exacerbation of bronchial asthma and recurrent respiratory tract
infections and allergies.

Air pollution also contributes to cardiovascular diseases and deaths, according to Leachon, citing
a 2010 report of the American Heart Association, stating that short-term exposure to air pollution
increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, irregular heart beats or cardiac arrhythmia in
predisposed individuals.

These vulnerable individuals include the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions
such as diabetes, chronic obstructive heart disease and hypertension, he said.

He also cited a study conducted by researchers at the Institute of Epidemiology of Helmholtz

Center in Munich, Germany, showing that heavy traffic, regardless of what mode of
transportation taken, could triple one’s risk of heart attack within an hour due to the air pollution
from car fumes.

The researchers had also interviewed 1,454 people who survived heart attacks in a previous
study and found out that many of them had been stuck in terrible traffic in the hour before their
heart attack. The study also suggested that stress brought about by heavy road gridlock could be
a contributing factor.

“Thus, traffic woes are fatal. And the government should embark on a major strategic plan in the
next six years or longer to alleviate this stressful malady afflicting daily commuters and the
whole nation as well,” said Leachon.

Last week, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya apologized for saying that Metro Manila’s
deteriorating traffic condition “is not fatal.” In a statement on Thursday last week, Abaya
admitted that his remark came across as “reckless and insensitive.”
While the transportation chief has offered his apology to the hundreds of thousands of
commuters who were offended by his remarks, medical experts still offered their two cents’
worth on the matter, explaining how traffic jams can be detrimental to one’s health.

In a statement, Dr. Leo Olarte, chair of the environmental group Coalition of Clean Air
Advocates of the Philippines, said traffic jams in the capital worsened all the deadly effects of
unabated motor vehicle emissions on the health and lives of daily commuters.

“If you’re a patient with cardiovascular ailments, the intensive particulate matter or soot
exposure that you can be subjected to when caught in monstrous traffic jams for several hours
can possibly trigger life-threatening episodes of heart attack, stroke and even sudden death right
there and then even when you’re inside your air conditioned cars,” said Olarte.

Latest records from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that Metro
Manila’s air quality situation has worsened in terms of total suspended particulates from 106
µg/Ncm from July to December 2014 to 130 µg/Ncm from January to April this year.

Both figures are beyond the maximum safe level of 90 µg/Ncm.

Particulate Matter of 10microns in diameter (PM10) in Metro Manila’s air also jumped from 52
µg/Ncm from July to December 2014 to 62 µg/Ncm during the first four months of the year, two
points higher than the standard PM10. Eighty-five percent of the capital’s total air emissions
come from vehicles, records show. Jocelyn R. Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/715587/metros-air-quality-getting-worse-study