GOOD AIR QUALITY. The Environment Management Bureau in Bicol (EMB-5) assured the public that the air in Albay remains in good quality despite the restlessness of Mayon Volcano. The monitoring of the air quality began on June 6. (Photo courtesy of EMB Bicol)
LEGAZPI CITY – The air quality in Albay remains at a good level amid the continued unrest of Mayon Volcano, according to the Environment Management Bureau-Bicol (EMB-Region 5).
Based on the last 24-hour monitoring, the data indicated that the overall air quality index remains at the green level or within standards, EMB regional director Maria Socorro Abu said Friday.
Abu said the monitoring devices are located in areas surrounding the volcano – Legazpi City, Ligao City, Tabaco City and Guinobatan. Data shows that the air quality index in these areas is within the 1-50 range, meaning the quality of air is good and poses little or no risk.
The EMB started monitoring the air quality around Mayon on June 10 or when the volcano began restive.
Abu added that the continued unrest of Mayon does not also affect the health condition in terms of the air quality health guide.
EMB uses a color-coded guide to monitor the air quality in an area. Green is good; yellow is fair; orange is unhealthy for people with respiratory diseases such as asthma; red is very unhealthy, violet is acute unhealthy and maroon is emergency.
Abu said they established air quality monitoring stations using automatic and manual equipment for the entire Bicol Region to monitor the air quality.
"The quality of air in the entire Bicol region is acceptable and within the standard, we were able to comply with all requirements by the EMB central office to be classified as attainment for air quality based on Philippine Clean Air Act," Abu said. (PNA)
