Air pollution: A public health concern in the Philippines

On September 26, 2017, the World Environment Day, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Ministry of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines jointly stressed the environmental impact of indoor and outdoor air pollution . Philippine Health

As 92% of the world's population is exposed to air quality levels beyond WHO's environmental air quality guidelines, air pollution is a global environmental risk. Urban people are more susceptible to dangerous air pollution than rural people. Air pollutants such as sulfate, nitrate, and black carbon, which are found in indoor and outdoor environments, are extremely dangerous to people's health. When the particle size in the air becomes 5 microns (PM 2.5) or less, it penetrates into human lungs and the cardiovascular system.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the safety level of PM 2.5 is 10 cubic meters (μg / m 3) of air per cubic meter. In Manila, the annual average of these contaminants is 17 μg / m 3, which is 70% higher than the recommended safety level.

In the world, more than 6 million people die each year from noninfectious diseases related to indoor and outdoor contamination such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic respiratory disease. In the Philippines, about a quarter of deaths are attributable to air pollution

DENR, DOH, and WHO aim to improve the relevance of air quality and health monitoring, review air quality indicators, and strengthen pollution assessment of health effects on projects and activities that may affect the atmosphere, such as air pollution We are taking measures to reduce environmental health risks. Between this year and 2019, the Philippine government also led the regional forum on regional health and the environment that listed air pollution in the Asia-Pacific region as one of the agenda items.

"Air pollution affects each of us," said Environment Minister Roy Simaku. "In order to be able to solve air pollution problems at once, we need a stronger adjustment and broader cooperation."

Dr. Gundo Weiler, WHO Philippine representative, said, "Air pollution continues to threaten the health of Filipino people, especially people living in urban communities." "In the field of health and the environment, we are working together to reduce the negative impact of these environmental risks on people's health and happiness." ###

Impact on health Air pollution can cause harm if the concentration in the atmosphere is sufficiently high. Millions of Americans live in areas where urban smog, particulate contamination and toxic pollutants cause serious health problems. People exposed to certain high levels of air pollutants may encounter. Air pollution is a problem for all of us. However, others are particularly sensitive to general air pollutants such as particulate matter and ground ozone. Sensitive people include children, elderly people, people in the outdoors, and people with heart disease or lung disease such as asthma. If you are sensitive to air pollution, you need to know what you can do to protect your health.

In recent years, air pollution has become a major concern for people all over the world, and dense smoke is occasionally generated in advanced cities. Pollutants contained in inhaled air can have various health effects on mild fatal diseases such as cancer. These activities bring about the emission of ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases. In order to correct the resulting situation and avoid further contributions, it is necessary to recognize and isolate these activities and practices. The following is a list of daily activities that will continuously increase existing air pollution.

Air pollution is a threat to public health. Ozone and particulate matter on the ground are mixed with other toxic air pollutants and are byproducts of burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, coal and natural gas. Wildfires, agricultural activities, volcanoes also cause air pollution. These contaminants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular disorders when inhaled. Smog combustion fossil fuel produces nitrogen oxides (NOx). Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are derived from the combustion or evaporation of chemical solvents used in various products such as gasoline, diesel and other petroleum fuels, detergents and paints. NOx also reacts with VOC released from plants.