Environmental group Greenpeace disclosed in its air quality report that carbon dioxide and PM 2.5 air pollutants spiked by 50 percent since industrial and transportation sectors resumed operations on May 16.
Greenpeace explained the said air pollutants are mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuel of plants, factories, and vehicles. The environmental group said these can be hazardous to human health as they cause cardiovascular diseases.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured there is no cause for worry as the air quality in Metro Manila still falls under the fair and general air quality.
“Kapag talaga pinayagan na itong mga public utility vehicles, ‘yan na po ang problema natin (Once we allow PUVs, that’s the problem),” DENR USec. Benny Antiporda pointed out.
“Malaki ‘yung possibility na magbalik tayo sa dating estado kung saan talagang nakakatakot ang air quality (There is a great possibility to return to the previous status where the air quality is alarming),” Antiporda added.
The agency reminded the public and transportation sector to make sure their car emissions duly comply with environmental standards. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
