Air pollution level down in Metro Manila

The air pollution level in Metro Manila has decreased since last year amid government’s continuing efforts to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and a crackdown on smoke belchers.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) revealed encouraging figures Wednesday even as the metropolis has yet to attain the prescribed maximum level of air pollutants, pegged at 90 ug/Ncm (unit of suspended particles).

“We have hardly achieved the prescribed guidance values but levels are going down,” DENR-EMB Assistant Director Gilbert Gonzales said.

On the second day of a Clean Air Act forum at the DENR on Wednesday, Gonzales said the amount of total suspended particulates (TSP) in Metro Manila’s air was measured at 121 ug/Ncm last April, from 138 ug/Ncm in July of last year.

Figures have been alternately rising and dipping since last year, but levels in the first four months showed some improvement, with February’s 120 ug/Ncm the lowest recorded so far in 2011.

The record low since the second half of last year was September, when 109 ug/Ncm was recorded in the air. The high-traffic holiday month of December had the dirtiest air, with some 152 ug/Ncm.

Gonzales said the figures showed a “significant improvement” from last year.

“It is everybody’s duty to keep our air clean. Pollution control can only be effective when all sectors of society work together,” he added.

Under the 12-year-old Clean Air Act, the government undertook antipollution measures, including the gradual switch to cleaner fuel, a renewed antismoke belching campaign and vehicle volume reduction schemes for public and private vehicles.

Gonzales said the government is acquiring 10 more vehicle emission testing machines for distribution to transport agencies and local government units to boost antismoke belching operations.

Ma. Cristina Velasco, assistant general manager for planning at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, said Metro Manila’s air quality remains a constant health threat to its roughly 11.6 million residents.