PM 2.5 level in Metro Manila made by Manila Observatory 2010 to 2011

Manila Philippines April 14, 2013

PM 2.5 in MM from Manila Observatory

The measurements covered July 2010 to June 2011.  The PM 2.5 decreased steadily since 2000.  However the levels exceed the 10 level set by WHO and 25 for a 24 hour period.  The IRR and the Clean Air Act do not prescribe a level for PM 2.5;   only for PM 10!  (is the CAA obselete?)

Please take note that in UK, where PM 2.5 level are in the 11 and l4 level (in London) 40,000 out of l40,000 died from heart attacks attributed to the elevated 2.5 level.

PM 2.5 is a nano particle;  it is 30x thinner than human air and easily lodges into the lungs and RBC and is easily transported via the RBC to cause inflammation and eventually cancer/heart disease.  PM 2.5 is a silent and stealthy killer;  it is invisible

Should CCA be amended to include the PM 2.5 level to protect the health of MM and other Filipino citizens?

At Baguio City, PM 2.5 during early rush hours was observed to be at 110  (That was in 2004 from NCBI)

From PIA - govt to put more PM 10 and PM 2.5 monitoring centers (2012)
Contrary to current thinking Sec. Paje of DENR says that PM 10 monitoring (rather than the deadlier PM2.5) should be given more attention. Well that was a year ago.  Things are different now;  PM 2.5 is the deadlier invisible pollutant level to be watched!

Has little progres been made after enactment of Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749)

From Bizlink Philstar by Rey Gamboa 2009

Rey Gamboa laments that since the passage of Clean Air Act of 2009 (CCA) RA 8749, its implementation took a nosedive since 2003.  The compliance focussed on the lead content and benzene content of gasoline.  Emission testing prior to motor vehicle  registration can be bought, the roadside emission testing is done once in a blue moon -  look at the pictures I posted to see the truth of this allegation. If you ride the jeepneys in the province, despite the no smoking signs, the jeepney drivers take lead in smoking.

So who cares?

Clean Air Act, RA 8749 from Chan Robles

Implementing Rules and Regulations of CAA from Chan and Robles

I noticed that the law and the IRR do not mention of PM 2.5, the more deadly form of particulate matter;  the law needs upgrading? Only PM 10 is mentioned