Philippines issues health warning as volcano brings smog to capital, nearby provinces

MANILA: On Friday, September 22, a little but agitated volcano close to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, spew above-average carbon monoxide and volcanic dust, forcing authorities to close schools in five cities and numerous towns and advise residents to stay inside.

According to the state geological and seismology institute, volcanic gases were released as a result of popular geological fluids rising in the crater lake of the Taal volcano.

A” small increase in geological earthquake, and steam or gas action” was indicated by the alert’s stage 1 status on a five-level size.

The 311m Taal is one of the most active volcano in the Philippines and is situated in a beautiful lakes in Batangas province, close to Manila.

More than 100,000 people were forced to flee, and dozens of flights were canceled as a result of the column of dust and heat that it spewed in January 2020 as high as 15 km.

According to Randy Dela Paz, operations part key at the legal defense office in southern Manila,” there have been reports of pulmonary illnesses in Batangas province due to intoxication from the geological smog.”

Geological dust, also known as vog, is made up of tiny droplets that contain volcanic gas like sulfur and may irritate the eyes, neck, and respiratory system.

Groups were suspended on Friday in five places in the capital area as well as in lots of towns and cities near the Taal volcano, including Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas regions.

Pilots were advised by the aviation authority to stay away from the volcano’s summit on Friday because” airborne ash and projectile fragments from immediate explosions may pose hazards to aircraft.”

The Philippines is located in the Pacific” Ring of Fire ,” where earthquakes and volcanic action are frequent.