Quezon City reports unsafe air quality, urges residents to wear face masks

The Quezon City government reported on Monday that air quality in some areas of the city was deemed unsafe, urging residents to wear face masks.

In a Facebook advisory on Monday morning, Quezon City said that air quality in some areas had reached “very unhealthy” levels, with pollution concentrations ranging from 45.1 to 55 micrograms per cubic meter.

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These areas include the northern parts of the city, such as Susano Road, Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility, Maligaya and Kaligayan Elementary Schools, and Lagro High School.

At this level, the government advised residents to limit car use and outdoor activities, and to avoid areas with heavy traffic, especially those with heart and respiratory conditions

Going to some lower areas of the city, “unhealthy” air quality levels were also reported, with pollution levels ranging from 35.1 to 45.0 micrograms per cubic meter.

These included areas such as Novaliches Wet and Dry Market, Pearl Drive Footbridge, Payatas Super Health Center, Jose Rizal High School, FEU Diliman, Quirino Highway corner Mindanao Avenue, and Korphil Quezon City University.

People with heart and respiratory conditions in these areas are advised not to go outside.

Prior the advisory, at around 6:00 am on Monday, a smog-like atmosphere with a burning smell was reported in parts of Districts 2 and 5, Carl Oliver M. Luces, City’s Operations Center Manager said in a phone interview.

Due to the unusually high unsafe air quality levels, Mr. Luces said they initially suspected the fire that broke out in Sitio Lukutan, Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal on Sunday and the fire in Barangay Commonwealth on Monday morning, both of which have already been put out.

“Pero sa report na nakuha namin sa aming weather specialist, hindi po ganoon din kalakas ang hangin na na-experience ng Quezon City this morning for it to be conclusive proof na ito ay galing sa San Isidro. We are considering na mali po, but it’s possible na sa Commonwealth galing. Sa ibang district, ang experience nila ay it’s coming from San Isidro [Based on the report we received from our weather specialist, the wind experienced by Quezon City this morning was not strong enough to conclusively prove that it came from San Isidro. We are considering that it might be incorrect, but it’s possible that it came from Commonwealth. In other districts, their experience was that it was coming from San Isidro],” Mr. Luces said.

Mr. Luces said the area affected by the fire that broke out in Barangay Commonwealth was relatively small, but the presence of chemicals made the fire appear larger.

He added that they are still awaiting the final report from the City’s Bureau of Fire Protection to confirm the cause of the smog.

Mr. Luces said it is still unclear how long the air quality hazard in the city will persist, but advised residents, especially those with comorbidities, to take necessary precautions.

“Pinapayuhan sila na magkaroon ng pag-iingat, lalo na ang mga may respiratory illness tulad ng hika. Iwasan munang lumabas ng bahay, at kung hindi maiwasan at kailangan umalis, magsuot ng face mask [They are advised to take precautions, especially those with respiratory illnesses like asthma. It is best to avoid going outside, but if it’s unavoidable and they need to leave, they should wear a face mask],” Mr. Luces said. – Edg Adrian A. Eva