On Friday, concerned agencies clarified that the pollution observed in Metro Manila is likely predominantly caused by emissions from heavy vehicular traffic. They noted that the plumes from Taal Volcano have had minimal impact on the region’s air quality.
“It may be inferred that the smog may be primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic especially during rush hour,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in an update today through its Taal Volcano Air Quality Monitoring report as of 8 a.m.
“Air quality varies in time and places and can change anytime depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors,” it added.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR highlighted a potential occurrence of “thermal inversion,” a meteorological phenomenon where warmer air becomes trapped beneath cooler air.
This phenomenon hinders the vertical movement of pollutants, resulting in the visible trapping of particulate matter closer to the ground.
PAGASA weather forecaster Rhea Torres reiterated this point during an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
“So normally, or during normal occurences, mas mainit po talaga ‘yung temperatura ng surface as compared sa hangin. Pero ‘yun nga po, dito pumapasok ‘yung inversion part,” Torres said.
“Nagkapalit po sila ng temperatura. Ang nangyari, ‘yung surface naman po ‘yung mas malamig compared sa hangin,” she added.
Smog in Metro Manila not from Taal Volcano
In addition, EMB noted that the prevailing winds are blowing from the northeast to the southwest, moving away from Metro Manila.
During a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Mariton Bornas, the head of PHIVOLCS’ Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, emphasized that the smog observed in Metro Manila cannot be solely attributed to Taal Volcano.
“Ito pong nakakaapekto sa Metro Manila, hindi puwedeng isisi nang buo sa Taal Volcano dahil sa kasalukuyan po, meron po tayong tinatawag na thermal inversion ng atmosphere,” she said.
Nevertheless, Bornas did not rule out the possibility that Metro Manila could be affected by the volcanic smog (vog) later today or on Saturday.
According to EMB, the air quality in Parañaque, Makati, and Pateros has been classified as “unhealthy.” This assessment coincided with volcanic fog from Taal Volcano’s activity in Batangas.
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