Dust Pollution in the Metro: A Manila Case

In this context, "air quality" describes the condition of the air around us. "Good air quality" refers to the absence of visible or measurable airborne pollutants such smoke, dust, and smog as well as gaseous pollutants. Air quality is calculated by looking at a variety of indicators of pollution (WHO Air Quality Guidelines, 2005).

Air quality can be lowered by both natural and anthropogenic causes. Dust from windstorms and volcanic eruptions are two examples of natural causes. Toxic gases from factories and other sources, coal-fired power plants, outdoor fires, incinerators, and landfills are all examples of pollution that has a human cause. Air pollution from these sources can have devastating effects on public health (WHO Air Quality Guidelines, 2005).

Natural and manmade sources of air pollution coexist in the atmosphere, but in rapidly industrializing regions, anthropogenic air pollution has become the dominant form. According to the regulations set forth in RA 8749, the Philippine Clean Air Act, sources can be classified as either fixed, mobile, or field (DENR-EMB National Air Quality Status Report 2008-2015).

There are both immediate and long-term consequences of breathing polluted air, which can impact a wide range of bodily functions and organs. Acute respiratory infections in children, persistent bronchitis in adults, exacerbation of preexisting heart and lung illness, and asthma attacks are only some of the extremes. Both acute and chronic exposures were associated with an increased risk of death and a shortened lifespan (Kampa M. & Castanas E., 2007).

Dust monitoring in Metro Manila

Based on data from the Airtoday.ph monitoring station in Quezon City, in the northern part of Metro Manila, Dr. Mylene Cayetano of the University of the Philippines' Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) reported that PM2.5 levels had dropped by 40% to 66% compared to January during the first six weeks of the ECQ.

The average PM2.5 levels dropped by 19% to 54% over the first six weeks of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), according to Cayetano, who is also the technical advisor of @Airtoday, an air monitoring project of the Rotary Club of Makati and the Lung Center of the Philippines.

The PM2.5 levels decreased to 7.1 ug/m3 during the first week of the lockdown, according to statistics from Airtoday.ph, which is significantly lower than the 20 ug/m3 reported two weeks earlier and lower than the 10 ug/cubic meter long-term safety recommendation from the @World Health.

The southern part of Metro Manila saw a decrease in PM2.5 levels from 28.75 ug/m3 (Muntinlupa) and 27.23 ug/m3 (Paranaque) on March 10 to just 10.78 ug/m3 (Muntinlupa) and 14.29 ug/m3 (Paranaque) on March 22. This was confirmed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which monitored similar results.

Clean Air Asia , which has recently begun measuring air pollution in the nation's capital, found a 51%-71% decrease in PM2.5 levels in three districts of Manila in the last week of April when compared to the time before the lockdown.

William Cunado, Director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), a Department of Environment and Natural Resources line office that establishes air quality regulations and manages contaminants from the atmosphere and places of origin, says that air quality control has long been one of the Department's top priorities.

The most up-to-date PM2.5 ambient air quality guideline levels are 50 ug/Ncm for 24-hour short-term monitoring on average and 25 ug/Ncm for long-term monitoring over a year.

Suffocation from Dust

Multiple negative impacts on human health have been linked to exposure to polluted air. Some people are so sensitive to air pollution's effects that their health suffers even on days when pollution levels are relatively low. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, respiratory illness, and frequent hospitalizations are all connected to even brief exposure to air pollutants (morbidity measurement).

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a buildup of mucus in the airways causes a persistent, irreversible restriction of airflow, making it difficult to breathe normally. COPD now encompasses the more commonly used terms, such as "chronic bronchitis" and "emphysema," which were previously used separately. COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by chronic airflow restriction and recurrent alveolar and airway inflammation. Emphysema is the result of damage to the air sacs in the lungs, while chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi that lasts for a long time. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide crisis and the third biggest cause of death after cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease.

Smoker's cough: COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is more than just a "smoker's cough;" it is a serious lung condition that is often misdiagnosed (WHO, 2005). Long-term exposure to polluted air can also raise the likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as does breathing in particular dusts and chemicals, which can cause lung damage. Common triggers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include exposure to cadmium dust and fumes, grain and flour dust, silica dust, welding fumes, isocyanates, and coal dusts (NHS, 2020).

Middle-aged smokers are more at risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however many people with COPD are not smokers. Recent studies have estimated that between 25% and 45% of COPD patients are never smokers. Dust exposure in the workplace is also becoming a major contributor to the disease's prevalence.

Workers with occupational dust exposure had a prevalence of the disease that is 1.51 times greater than those people who have no occupational exposure, according to a meta-analysis published on Medicine (Baltimore) on August 21, 2020. The medical literature published between 2009 and 2019 was analyzed, and terms including "COPD," "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease," "dust," and "Occupational Exposure" were used for the meta-analyses. Workplace dust includes particles that have been in the air for a lengthy period of time and were created as a byproduct of human manufacturing operations. Manufacturing, farming, and commerce all contribute to the generation of useful dusts.

Attacked by Asthma

The ISAAC report estimates that the prevalence of asthma in children ranges from 2% in some countries to 40% in others. And, environmental variables account for 24% of the global disease burden and 23% of mortality.

Pollutants in the air from vehicular traffic, power plants, and other human activities are a leading cause of asthma attacks (exacerbations) in the outdoors. Particulate matter, gaseous pollutants (ozone, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide), and exhaust from multiple sources all contribute to the unhealthy air quality outside. Although outdoor air pollution is a serious issue, it cannot be solved without significant adjustments to current policies and approaches to pollution control. However, the frequency of asthma attacks can be reduced by taking measures to improve indoor air quality. Particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and indoor allergens like those found in insects, cats, dogs, pollen, and spores are all examples of pollutants found in indoor air. Knowing the root of the problem and protecting yourself from it is crucial.

If nothing is done, these dust particles have been found to have serious consequences for both the environment and human health. Inhaling dust has been linked to the development of COPD and asthma. In addition, the Island Heat Effect and Acid Rain could be brought on by dust's unknown components.

Disclaimer: the photos used in this post do not belong to me. Credits to the owners and Canva.