TOXIC REVELRY. During the first few hours of
the new year, air pollution in Metro Manila skyrockets
Fireworks in the Philippines on New Year’s eve
is literally a family tradition - with nearly every family in a neighborhood
setting off their own fireworks display. That means safety issues (substandard
fireworks, careless lighting) and air pollution levels are an annual concern.
That’s been slightly tempered in recent years by a government campaign, but
Filipinos are now used to a blanket of dark haze hovering over the capital on
New Year’s Day. In 2014, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
said air pollution in Metro Manila after New Year celebrations was 3 times
worse than 2013. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the safe PM10
measurement for air quality is 150 ug/NCM (micrograms per normal cubic meter of
air). On January 1, Metro Manila hit 1,437 ug/Ncm, more than 3 times 2013
levels and 10 times more than WHO’s safe level.
No comments:
Post a Comment