The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau National Capital Region (DENR-EMB-NCR) reported a steep deterioration in air quality, with seven key areas in Metro Manila logging “very unhealthy” Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings on Wednesday morning.
According to the EMB-NCR’s monitoring report, dangerous concentration levels of fine particulate matter were detected across monitoring stations situated in Caloocan, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, and Taguig. Meanwhile, neighboring cities including Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, and Valenzuela were designated under the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” air quality category.
Environmental officials cited thermal inversion as a major contributing factor to the regional atmospheric haze. The phenomenon occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface, acting as a cap that prevents vehicular exhaust and urban industrial pollution from dispersing into the higher atmosphere.
Health authorities strongly advise the general public, particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, to limit outdoor physical activities, keep windows closed, and wear protective face masks when stepping outdoors until ambient air conditions improve.