Makati’s air quality on New Year’s Day is ‘acutely unhealthy’ – DENR

DENR-EMB’s air quality index as of 10 a.m. on January 1, 2024. (Screengrab from DENR)

MANILA, Philippines — The air quality of Makati city reached an “acutely unhealthy” level on New Year’s Day, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau’s (DENR-EMB) data showed.

In its air quality index as of 10 a.m. on Monday, EMB bared that Makati’s ambient air quality value is at 224.

DENR’s monitoring station in the area specifically gathered particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.

This kind of monitoring station can observe microscopic particles that are more dangerous as they can reach blood and lungs, says US-based Center for Disease Prevention.

With this air quality in Makati, DENR advised residents to “limit outdoor exertion.”

The department said people with heart or respiratory diseases such as asthma should stay indoors as much as possible.

It added unnecessary trips should be postponed.

INQUIRER.net has asked DENR if the poor air quality in Makati city may be attributed to New Year’s Day festivities, especially the setting off of fireworks.

DENR has yet to respond to the query as of posting time.

On the other hand, it has also released its data on the air quality in other Metro Manila cities.

The air quality in these places were observed with the use of a second monitoring station.

The second station was tasked to gather particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter.

In the first station that gathered particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, the number was at 224 for Makati.

In the second monitoring system that looked into particles less than 10 micrometers, the figure for Makati was 65.

Following are the other results of the monitoring station for particles less than 10 micrometers:

Mandaluyong – 144 (Very Unhealthy)

Makati – 65 (Fair)

Caloocan – 46 (Good)

Pasig – 98 (Fair)

Pateros – 41 (Good)

Taguig – 44 (Good)

San Juan – 53 (Fair)