Republic of the Philippines

Lyceum – Northwestern University

Dagupan City
Institute of Graduate School
S.Y. 2019

Submitted by:

Anna Barbara L. Garcia, RND

Submitted to:

Marie Jacinto,PhD,MPh,RND
Table of Contents

Introduction
Types of Pollutants

Causes of Air pollution

Effects of Air pollution

Two Types of Air Pollution Sources

Solutions for Air Pollution

Measuring air pollution

Air Pollution Survey

Urban air quality on a decline

Air pollution diseases contributing to mortality rate

Addressing air pollution problems

References
Introduction
Air pollution is a concern which poses threat to human health and likewise greatly impacts
the ecosystem and the environment.

Its effect in the human body leads to various health-related diseases such as respiratory
disease, decreased lung functions, cancers, eye and throat irritation. At high risk are
children and elderly and those individuals with asthma and cardiopulmonary diseases.

Air pollution can further be classified into two sections- Visible air pollution and invisible
air pollution. Another way of looking at Air pollution could be any substance that holds the
potential to hinder the atmosphere or the well-being of the living beings surviving in it. The
sustainment of all things living is due to a combination of gases that collectively form the
atmosphere; the imbalance caused by the increase or decrease of the percentage of
these gases can be harmful for survival.

The Ozone layer considered crucial for the existence of the ecosystems on the planet is
depleting due to increased pollution. Global warming, a direct result of the increased
imbalance of gases in the atmosphere has come to be known as the biggest threat and
challenge that the contemporary world has to overcome in a bid for survival.

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution can be defined as the presence of harmful chemicals in the air we breathe
— chemicals that can hamper one’s good health. Said chemicals are products of myriad
anthropogenic activities, such as fuel combustion from vehicles, heat and power
generation due to oil and coal power plants, smoke from manufacturing factories and
mines, waste incineration, and even the simple act of cooking food at home.

These chemicals, also known as pollutants, come in various forms. The largest group is
called particulate matter (PM), which includes particles that comprise sulphates, nitrates,
ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and even water. The sizes of
these pollutants can be measured in microns. A micron is a millionth of a meter: picture
a meter-long thread divided into a million equal parts. That’s how small a micron is.

Particulate matter can be further classified according to their size, either as PM10 (less
than 10 microns in diameter) or PM2.5 (less than 2.5 microns in diameter). These
particles can remain suspended in air and eventually be inhaled. When this happens, they
pass through the airway and enter the bloodstream, where they can wreak havoc inside
the body.

Another pollutant is ground-level ozone, a major product of photochemical smog. This

phenomenon can be observed in China, where cities are inundated with thick smoke
consisting of particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These components react with each other and
sunlight to produce ozone, which can exacerbate asthma and lead to reduced lung
function and other respiratory diseases.

Carbon monoxide, one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog, is often produced
from exhaust from motor engines and machinery that burn fossil fuels. Increased
concentration of this compound in one’s body can damage the body’s ability to transport
oxygen to its different parts, which is critical for all organs in the body. Nitrogen dioxide,
another smog component, comes from emissions from power and industrial generation.
WHO states that when introduced independently into one’s system, it can aggravate
symptoms of asthma and bronchitis, which may escalate to respiratory infections.

Types of Pollutants

In order to understand the causes of Air pollution, several divisions can be

made. Primarily air pollutants can be caused by primary sources or secondary sources.
The pollutants that are a direct result of the process can be called primary pollutants. A
classic example of a primary pollutant would be the sulfur-dioxide emitted from factories

Secondary pollutants are the ones that are caused by the inter mingling and reactions of
primary pollutants. Smog created by the interactions of several primary pollutants is
known to be as secondary pollutant.

Causes of Air pollution

1. Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels like
coal, petroleum and other factory combustibles is one the major cause of air pollution.
Pollution emitting from vehicles including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause
immense amount of pollution. We rely on them to fulfill our daily basic needs of
transportation. But, there overuse is killing our environment as dangerous gases are
polluting the environment. Carbon Monoxide caused by improper or incomplete
combustion and generally emitted from vehicles is another major pollutant along with
Nitrogen Oxides, that is produced from both natural and man-made processes.

2. Agricultural activities: Ammonia is a very common by product from agriculture related

activities and is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere. Use of insecticides,
pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural activities has grown quite a lot. They emit harmful
chemicals into the air and can also cause water pollution.

3. Exhaust from factories and industries: Manufacturing industries release large amount
of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air
thereby depleting the quality of air. Manufacturing industries can be found at every corner
of the earth and there is no area that has not been affected by it. Petroleum refineries
also release hydrocarbons and various other chemicals that pollute the air and also
cause land pollution.

4. Mining operations: Mining is a process wherein minerals below the earth are extracted
using large equipment. During the process dust and chemicals are released in the air
causing massive air pollution. This is one of the reason which is responsible for the
deteriorating health conditions of workers and nearby residents.

5. Indoor air pollution: Household cleaning products, painting supplies emit toxic
chemicals in the air and cause air pollution. Have you ever noticed that once you paint
walls of your house, it creates some sort of smell which makes it literally impossible for
you to breathe.

Suspended particulate matter popular by its acronym SPM, is another cause of pollution.
Referring to the particles afloat in the air, SPM is usually caused by dust, combustion etc.

Effects of Air pollution

1. Respiratory and heart problems: The effects of Air pollution are alarming. They are
known to create several respiratory and heart conditions along with Cancer, among other
threats to the body. Several millions are known to have died due to direct or indirect
effects of Air pollution. Children in areas exposed to air pollutants are said to commonly
suffer from pneumonia and asthma.

2. Global warming: Another direct effect is the immediate alterations that the world is
witnessing due to Global warming. With increased temperatures worldwide, increase in
sea levels and melting of ice from colder regions and icebergs, displacement and loss of
habitat have already signaled an impending disaster if actions for preservation and
normalization aren’t undertaken soon.

3. Acid Rain: Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the
atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets combine
with these air pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in the form of acid
rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to human, animals and crops.

4. Eutrophication: Eutrophication is a condition where high amount of nitrogen present in

some pollutants gets developed on sea’s surface and turns itself into algae and and
adversely affect fish, plants and animal species. The green colored algae that is present
on lakes and ponds is due to presence of this chemical only.

5. Effect on Wildlife: Just like humans, animals also face some devastating effects of air
pollution. Toxic chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to new
place and change their habitat. The toxic pollutants deposit over the surface of the water
and can also affect sea animals.

6. Depletion of Ozone layer: Ozone exists in earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for
protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting due
to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As
ozone layer will go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and can cause skin and
eye related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops.

TWO TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION SOURCES

Natural sources and Man-made sources

Natural sources of pollution include dust carried by the wind from locations with very
little or no green cover, gases released from the body processes of living beings (Carbon
dioxide from humans during respiration, Methane from cattle during digestion, Oxygen
from plants during Photosynthesis). Smoke from the combustion of various inflammable
objects, volcanic eruptions etc along with the emission of polluted gases also make it to
the list of Natural sources of Pollution.

While looking at the man-made sources/contributions towards air pollution, smoke

again features as a prominent component. The smoke emitted from various forms of
combustion like in bio mass, factories, vehicles, furnaces etc. Waste used to create
landfills generate methane, that is harmful in several ways. The reactions of certain gases
and chemicals also form harmful fumes that can be dangerous to the well-being of living
creatures.

Solutions for Air Pollution

1. Use public mode of transportation: Encourage people to use more and more public
modes of transportation to reduce pollution. Also, try to make use of carpooling. If you
and your colleagues come from the same locality and have same timings, you can explore
this option to save energy and money.

2. Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. Large amount of
fossil fuels is burnt to produce electricity. You can save the environment from degradation
by reducing the amount of fossil fuels to be burned.

3. Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do not throw away items that
are of no use to you. In-fact reuse them for some other purpose. For e.g. you can use old
jars to store cereals or pulses.

4. Emphasis on clean energy resources: Clean energy technologies

like solar, wind and geothermal are on high these days. Governments of various
countries have been providing grants to consumers who are interested in installing solar
panels for their home. This will go a long way to curb air pollution.

5. Use energy efficient devices: CFL lights consume less electricity as against their
counterparts. They live longer, consume less electricity, lower electricity bills and also
help you to reduce pollution by consuming less energy.
Several attempts are being made worldwide on a personal, industrial and governmental
levels to curb the intensity at which Air Pollution is rising and regain a balance as far as
the proportions of the foundation gases are concerned. This is a direct attempt at
slacking Global warming. We are seeing a series of innovations and experiments aimed
at alternate and unconventional options to reduce pollutants. Air Pollution is one of the
larger mirrors of man’s follies, and a challenge we need to overcome to see a tomorrow.

Measuring air pollution

How exactly are air pollution levels measured?

As we know, air is comprised of a multitude of compounds, elements, and chemicals. Our

atmosphere contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other
obscure gases. Thus, air pollution levels are usually measured through the individual
concentrations of the pollutants mentioned above. These concentrations are expressed
in μg/m3 annually or per 24-hour mean. An annual mean constitutes the mean for one-
hour daily measurements for a year. A 24-hour mean, on the other hand, is the average
of all hourly concentration readings over the span of 24 hours.

In 2005, WHO imposed air quality guidelines to provide thresholds and limits for key air
pollutants that may cause health complications. Based on the guidelines, WHO estimates
that reducing the amount of particulate matter (PM10) to 20 micrograms per cubic metre
(μg/m3) annually would subsequently decrease air pollution-related mortality rates by
15%. For the smaller and more harmful variant, PM2.5, they imposed a standard of 10
μg/m3 per annum. In the case of other pollutants, ozone (O3) has a safety level of 100
μg/m3 for an 8-hour running mean, while NO2 has a safety level of 40 μg/m3 (annual
mean).

At present, the worldwide average concentration for PM2.5 stands at 38 μg/m3, nearly
four times the value of the recommended safety levels.

Air pollution in the Philippines

In the southeast Asian region — where the Philippines is located — the average
PM2.5concentration is 21 μg/m3 annually, over twice the recommended value.
The Philippines’ annual PM2.5 concentration rests at 18.4 μg/m3, according to the 2016
WHO report. This value is approximately 80% higher than the safe levels indicated by
WHO. Aside from national data, WHO also collected data from the major cities of
participating countries.

In fact, out of all the listed cities in the Philippines, Baguio City recorded the highest
PM2.5 data at 44 μg/m3 in 2013 — quadruple the recommended safe level.

Cebu and Dagupan also recorded high values, each with an annual mean of 28 μg/m3
and 27 μg/m3, respectively. Manila’s 17 μg/m3 and Davao’s 11 μg/m3 also exceeded the
prescribed safety level.

All of the listed cities also failed to reach the limit set for particulate matter of 10 microns
in size (PM10). Baguio ranked highest once more, with 84 μg/m3 of PM10, which is also
four times the recommended level. Meanwhile, Cebu, Dagupan, and Manila also failed,
registering values of 54, 51, and 55 μg/m3, respectively. While the city of Davao came
close to meeting the prescribed safe level (at 21 μg/m3), it still exceeded the limit.

These numbers have already caught the attention of the government. According to
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu:

“Air pollution affects each and every one of us…We need stronger coordination and wider
collaboration so we can once and for all solve our air pollution problem.”

Meanwhile, WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Gundo Weller stated:

“Air pollution continues to pose a dangerous threat to the health of the Filipinos, especially
those living in urbanized communities…With the health and environment sectors, we are
working together to reduce the harmful impact of these environmental risks to people’s
health and well-being.”

The Philippines is currently pushing back against air pollution through the implementation
of various laws and ordinances. One of these is Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine
Clean Air Act of 1999. RA 8749 currently serves as the foundation for the country’s air
quality management. It aims to raise awareness about pollution prevention through
programs such as Linis/Ligtas Hangin, coupled with Bantay Tambutso, Bantay Tsimnea,
and Bantay Sunog. The RA also aims to enforce regulatory standards upon stationary
sources of pollution, such as factories and power plants. RA 8749 encompasses the
cooperation of agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the
Department of Energy (DOE), and many others.

In 2019, the country is slated to lead the regional forum on health and environment in the
Asia-Pacific region.

Mitigating the damage: What next?

One cannot help but wonder, though, if our country is really doing enough.

This year, researchers at Yale and Columbia Universities along with the World Economic
Forum released a new Environmental Performance Index (EPI). The report ranked 180
countries based on various performance indicators on 10 issues regarding the health of
the environment and its viability. It also provided a scale showing how a particular country
is accomplishing (or ‘close to accomplishing’) its established environmental policies.
According to the report, air quality remains the top environmental problem — a fact made
evident by the increasing urbanization and industrialization of large countries such as
India and China.

The 2018 EPI ranks the Philippines as 82nd out of 180 countries, indicating that our
country has a higher health rating than China (120), Thailand (121), Vietnam (132), and
Indonesia (133). However, while our country ranked 43rd in the Air Pollution category, we
were still ranked 111th in terms of Air Quality due to the use of solid fuels in households.

In reality, the Philippines continues to struggle in establishing a firm grasp on air quality
control. There has been a steep rise in the number of vehicles operating in the country,
subsequently contributing to the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere. Other
anthropogenic activities, such as the use of fireworks and firecrackers, also take a toll on
the environment. On Jan 1, 2017, several areas in Manila recorded tremendously high
levels of PM2.5. Ateneo de Manila University (369 μg/nm), Taft Avenue (448 μg/nm), and
Paranaque (433 μg/nm) were at levels way beyond the safe limit (50 μg/nm). This year,
however, the DENR reported that air pollution levels on New Year’s Eve dropped
significantly.
The Philippines is a developing country that has to deal with many socio-economic and
developmental issues. In the face of these issues, some are concerned that over the past
two years and in spite of the current administration’s promises, environmental protection
appears to have taken a backseat. The government, of course, is responsible for creating
and enforcing policies and laws so that its citizens may breathe clean air, as well as enjoy
all natural resources based on the principles of sustainable development.

The effects of pollution are evident and undeniable. This is particularly observable in
Metro Manila, due in no small part to the sheer volume of vehicular smoke that practically
envelops it. On top of that, our country continues to depend on energy harnessed from
coal power plants, a fact bemoaned by environmentalists due to the known impact of coal-
fired power plants on air pollution levels.

We face a real problem in this dire situation, as we have no choice but to breathe in,
regardless of the quality of the air where we reside. Think about it: At this very minute,
there are 16 opportunities for the pollutants in the air to enter our bodies. Pollutants that
negatively affect the quality of our lives and reduce the time we can spend on this
beautiful, albeit polluted, planet. –MF

AIR POLLUTION SURVEY

As for outdoor or ambient air pollution, the Philippines ranks as the third deadliest country
in the Asia Pacific Region, according to the study. China still tops the most hazardous
country when it comes to outdoor pollution, followed by Mongolia.

Outdoor air pollution are caused by pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon,
which pose the greatest risks to human health. Air quality can also be influenced by
natural elements such as geographical, meteorological and seasonal factors, the report
added.

One third of global air pollution deaths in Asia Pacific (2018)

WHO also reported that around one third, or 2.2 million of the world's 7 million premature
deaths each year from household and ambient air pollution are in the WHO Western
Pacific Region-home to one quarter of the world's population.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Philippines ranks third in
mortality rate caused by air pollution. 

WHO study revealed that the Philippines had 45.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals due to
outdoor air pollution. China ranked first at 81.5 deaths recorded while Mongolia was
second at 48.8 deaths. 

According to the study, 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe air containing high levels of
pollutants. Polluted air penetrates deep into their lungs and cardiovascular system. Among the
2.2 million air pollution-related deaths in this region in 2016, 29 percent were due to heart disease,
27 percent stroke, 22 percent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14 percent lung cancer and
8 percent pneumonia.

Pollution in Philippines (2018)

Air pollution levels in Metro Manila during New Year’s eve was at an all-time low, but it
lingered longer, based on the monitoring of the Environmental Pollution Studies
Laboratory (EPSL) of the University of the Philippines (UP).

UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology head Dr. Mylene Cayetano said
they measured both particulate matter (PM) 2.5, or particles less than 2.5 micrometers in
diameter, and PM 10, particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter.

Air particulates can be inhaled or respired, depending on the size of the pollutant.

Both stations recorded “very poor” air quality. The Ayala Avenue station recorded the
highest PM concentration at around 1 a.m. Tuesday – 114 micrograms per cubic meter
of air (ug/m3) for PM10 and 113 ug/m3 for PM2.5.

These are “significantly lower” (about 24 percent and 14 percent) compared to last year’s
readings of 149 ug/m3 for PM10 and 131 ug/m3 for PM2.5 for the same station.
The Ayala Ave. station also “poor” air quality from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 31, and
11 p.m. and then again from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. January 1.

Air quality was”very poor” from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. January 1.

The LCP station recorded a PM concentration of 99 ug/m3 for PM10 and 98 ug/m3 for
PM2.5.

The LCP station recorded “poor” air quality 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on December
31, , and 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on January 1.

“Very poor” air quality was recorded 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. December 31, and 12 a.m. to 1
a.m. January 1.

PM concentrations at both stations dropped significantly at around 4 a.m. January 1, while

the Makati Station still maintaining a “poor” readings that is the same as January, 2018.

Cayetano said that Tropical Depression “Usman” washed away the particles emitted by
fireworks and firecrackers.

Urban air quality on a decline

Reports from WHO stated that more than 80 percent of the people residing in urban areas
are exposed to poor air quality. Data also showed that low income level cities are greatly
affected. 

“Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized people bear the
brunt of the burden,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. 

Latest urban air quality database showed that 98 percent of the cities in low and middle
income countries with a population of more than 100,000 do not meet the WHO
guidelines. 
“Many of the world’s megacities exceed WHO’s guideline levels for air quality by more
than 5 times, representing a major risk to people’s health,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director
of the Department of Public Health, Social and Environmental Determinants of Health at
WHO. 

As such, WHO director-general also revealed that globally, over three billion people –
mostly women and children – inhale deadly smoke daily from using polluting stoves and
fuels in their homes. 

“If we don’t take urgent action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving
sustainable development.” Ghebreyesus warned. 

Air pollution diseases contributing to mortality rate

Around seven million people die annually from exposure to fine particles in polluted air
that penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, thus causing stroke, heart
disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections,
including pneumonia.

Air pollution is said to be a critical risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),
causing an estimated one-quarter (24 percent) of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25
percent from stroke, 43 percent from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 29
percent from lung cancer.

Major sources of air pollution include the inefficient use of energy by households, industry,
the agriculture and transport sectors, and coal-fired power plants. In some regions, sand
and desert dust, waste burning and deforestation are additional sources of air pollution.
Air quality can also be influenced by natural elements such as geographic, meteorological
and seasonal factors.
Addressing air pollution problems

“We are seeing an acceleration of political interest in this global public health challenge.
The increase in cities recording air pollution data reflects a commitment to air quality
assessment and monitoring. Most of this increase has occurred in high-income countries,
but we hope to see a similar scale-up of monitoring efforts worldwide.” Neira stated. 

Most sources of urban outdoor air pollution are well beyond the control of individuals and
demand action by cities, as well as national and international policymakers to promote
cleaner transport, more efficient energy production and waste management. 

“Awareness is rising and more cities are monitoring their air quality. When air quality
improves, global respiratory and cardiovascular-related illnesses decrease.” Neira
added.
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