Dust level in Jaro exceeds air quality standards
Dust levels in Jaro, Typhoon Frank’s worst-hit district here, have exceeded air quality standards, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in the region disclosed.
The dust came from the dried up mud left by Frank’s murky floodwaters, explained EMB Regional Director Bienvenido Lipayon.
Prior to the flooding on June 21, the Total Suspended Particulates (TSP or dust) in Jaro was below the normal level ranging from 62 microgram per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) to 89, said Lipayon.
When EMB did another air sampling on July 1, Lipayon said the TSP was at 264 ug/Ncm, exceeding the Air Quality Guideline value of 230 ug/Ncm.
This air pollution index is unhealthy for those with asthma and other respiratory ailments, EMB warned.
The results of the air sampling will be forwarded to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Lipayon said they will also be conducting dust tests in other flood-affected areas.
Jaro’s 42 barangays were submerged in floodwaters at the height of the typhoon.
The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 has already anticipated the dust problem. As early as last week, it advised the riding public and drivers to wear surgical masks to protect themselves from pulmonary illness caused by dust.
With the drying of the mud and murky water that inundated this city and many other areas on Panay Island at the height of Typhoon “Frank” (international code name: Fengshen) on June 21, “our problem now is the dust,” said DOH Regional Director Lydia Depra-Ramos.
Ramos warned commuters and residents of the “dust storm” which may aggravate pulmonary diseases such as asthma, cough, and other lung problems.
Ramos recommended to the local government units, particularly in this city and in Aklan, to provide their constituents with surgical masks “or even improvised masks … for protection from dirt.”
Dried mud becomes powdery and swiftly goes airborne that could be easily inhaled, Ramos said.
She said residents could immediately seek medical attention in available health facilities if they get sick.
“Health centers were adequately provided with medicines … for free,” she said.
David Israel Sinay, Panay News
Leave a Reply