Business · Philippines Bureau
Metro Manila air quality hits 'very unhealthy' levels amid transboundary haze
Several areas across the National Capital Region recorded hazardous air quality on Wednesday as lingering transboundary haze, potentially linked to Indonesian wildfires, continues to blanket the Philippines. The Environmental Management Bureau reported elevated fine particulate matter levels posing health risks to residents.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Air quality monitoring agencies flagged concerning pollution levels across Metro Manila on Wednesday, with multiple locations registering 'very unhealthy' readings that exceed safe exposure thresholds for the general population.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Environmental Management Bureau attributed the degraded air conditions to transboundary haze drifting into Philippine airspace. Officials indicated that active fires burning in neighboring Indonesia appeared to be a significant contributor to the regional air pollution event.
The primary concern centers on elevated concentrations of PM2.5, fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Such pollution levels pose particular health risks to vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Transboundary haze episodes have become an recurring environmental challenge affecting the Philippines and broader Southeast Asia during certain seasons, when weather patterns carry smoke and particulates across international boundaries. Authorities continue monitoring air quality conditions and advising residents in affected areas to limit outdoor activities and use protective equipment when necessary.