SINABI ng environmental group na EcoWaste Coalition na nagdudulot ng pinakamalalang polusyon sa Metro Manila ang mga paputok at firework tuwing sasapit ang pagsalubong ng Bagong Taon.
Sa isinagawang webinar ng EcoWaste na tinaguriang “Iwas Paputoxic,” sinabi ni Manila Observatory Research Associate Genevieve Rose Lorenzo na base sa isinagawang Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex) noong 2019 kaugnay ng epekto ng mga paputok, sinabi niya na naitala ang pinakamalalang kalidad ng hangin sa National Capital Region (NCR).
“The worst air quality during the year in Metro Manila has been previously recorded during the New Year revelry as firework activities caused unhealthy increases in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In fact, these were the only measurements in Manila Observatory that have reached the very unhealthy and hazardous ranges of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index,” sabi ni Lorenzo.
Aniya, naitala kada oras ang average na 143.4 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) PM2.5
sa pagitan ng alas-6 ng gabi noong Disyembre 31, 2018 hanggang ala-8 ng umaga noong Enero 1, 2019 na lagpas sa 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Value (NAAQGV) na 50.0 μg/m3.
“When the air quality has reached the very unhealthy level of concern, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children (are advised to) avoid all physical activity outdoors, (and) everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion,” aniya.
