Inhaling haze from air pollution or smoke can cause immediate irritation and worsen existing medical conditions, the Department of Health (DOH) warned.
The DOH issued the warning following reports of haze affecting several areas in the country.
Based on the latest report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) issued Tuesday, air quality is being monitored in areas affected by haze in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.
The DENR-EMB said the haze is associated with smoke from ongoing forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, which is being transported toward the Philippines by prevailing southwest monsoon winds or habagat. The agency said the haze may continue to affect parts of the country for several days while the fires remain active.
Fine particulate matter
The haze contains fine particulate matter, including PM2.5, which can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may trigger or worsen respiratory problems.
On Tuesday, several air-quality monitoring stations in Metro Manila recorded ‘very unhealthy’ to ‘acutely unhealthy’ air quality levels amid elevated PM2.5 concentrations. Areas with ‘acutely unhealthy’ readings included Las Piñas, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela.
The DOH said haze may cause difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, eye irritation or watery eyes, and may worsen existing lung conditions such as asthma.
Children, older adults, and people with existing lung or heart conditions are advised to take extra precautions and limit their exposure to the haze.
To minimize exposure, the DOH reminded the public to:
Stay indoors as much as possible and ensure proper ventilation;
Close doors and windows and seal gaps where smoke may enter;
Wear an N95 mask when going outdoors;
Limit prolonged outdoor activities, particularly strenuous exercise, in areas affected by haze;
Regularly monitor air-quality advisories in their area;
Exercise extreme caution when traveling, particularly in areas with poor visibility;
Use headlights or fog lights when driving;
Follow the required minimum speed and exercise extreme caution on the road; and
Ensure that vehicles are in good running condition.
The DOH said that if an N95 mask is unavailable, the public may temporarily use a damp handkerchief or cloth. Double-masking or folding the cloth twice may also provide an alternative form of protection against inhaling particles, although an N95 mask remains the preferred option when outdoors.
Cover food, drinking water
The public is also advised to keep food and drinking water covered and protect the eyes from irritation while haze persists.
The DOH further advised individuals experiencing difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, increased tearing of the eyes, or nose and throat irritation to proceed to the nearest health center or hospital for appropriate medical attention.
The DOH reminded the public to regularly check official advisories and air-quality conditions in their respective areas and to prioritize their health and safety while the haze persists.