Acid rain possible due to Taal vog — DOST

INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / GRIG MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Acid rain can occur following the volcanic smog or vog from Taal volcano, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum said on Friday.

“Ang Kamaynilaan, kung umulan ng malakas, ay nawa-wash down yung mga pollutants kaya napapaigi,” he said.

(In Metro Manila, if the rain is intense, it can wash down pollutants, and the situation becomes better.)

“Pero siyempre, pagdating naman sa bulkan, iba naman ang nangyayari doon. Pwede rin ma-wash down yan, pero kung maliit-liit po yung patak ng tubig, yung paghalo ng asupre sa tubig, nagkakaroon ng acidic rain,” he said in ‘Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon’ briefing.

(But, of course, when it comes to the volcano, something different is happening there. It can still get washed down, but if the raindrops are tiny, the sulfur mixed with water results in acidic rain.)

Solidum explained acid rain is easily detectable by the smell of sulfur.

The DOST chief warned farmers of the damage the vog and the acid rain may cause on plants.

“Talagang mapapansin ng ating mga kababayan diyan sa paligid ng Taal volcano iyong epekto ng volcanic fog or vog sa kanilang mga pananim,” he said.

(Our countrymen around Taal will really notice the effects of the volcanic fog or vog in their crops.)

“Iyong iba nga, kapag mas matindi ang concentration ay nagkakaroon ng panunuyo. Nagiging brown iyong kulay. Iyong iba ay nabubutas,” he added.

(For some, if the concentration is strong, there is drying out. They become brown. Others have holes.)

Solidum advised farmers to hold sowing seeds at this time.

He is also alerting residents, saying acid rain can burn a person’s skin.

Taal volcano has been releasing vog, which has coincided with the smog in Metro Manila.

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