Metro Manila haze is due to pollution, not Taal Volcano smog, says Phivolcs
The haze that you see enveloping the skies of Metro Manila isn’t caused by the volcanic smog being emitted by Taal Volcano, as was previously reported.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday, June 29, the haze blanketing Metro Manila is from pollution due human activities.
“The haze observed in Metro Manila is smog or due to human activities, and NOT from Taal Volcano,” Philvocs said in a Facebook post.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Philvocs Director Renato Solidum said the volcanic smog—or “vog”—emitted by the Taal Volcano “has no contribution” to the current Metro Manila haze.
He added that the steam from Taal Volcano is heading northeast and not towards Metro Manila.
On Monday, Phivolcs warned residents living near Taal Volcano to take caution against its volcanic smog.
But Solidum clarified that this had nothing to do with Metro Manila’s haze. "The haze is from the ground and moving up and very evident in major roads. The smog would eventually rise farther up as air temperature would increase during the day," he told CNN Philippines, adding that smog may be due to the number of vehicles that go on the roads in Metro Manila.
Philstar.com also reports that while the haze is not related to volcanic smog, the air in Metro Manila isn’t safe, with its Air Quality Index score at an “unhealthy” 153.
Banner photo by Michael Vargas/The Philippine Star
