Metro Cebu haze eases slightly, but air remains ‘very unhealthy’

Local

AIR quality in Metro Cebu improved slightly on Friday, Sept. 4, but remained at “very unhealthy” levels as transboundary haze continued to affect Central Visayas.

The air quality index (AQI) in Metro Cebu dropped to 197 on Friday, down from Thursday’s 252.

Despite the improvement, the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) continued to warn residents about the health risks associated with the poor air quality.

An AQI reading of 197 remains within the “very unhealthy” range, meaning prolonged exposure to the air could pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups.

EMB-7 advised residents, especially those with existing respiratory conditions, to stay indoors as much as possible and wear N95 or KN95 masks when going outside.

The slight improvement also did not prompt local governments to lift their precautionary measures.

Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, Carcar City and Minglanilla extended the suspension of face-to-face classes for a third consecutive day as the haze persisted.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) also remained on “heightened alert” as a precaution against a possible increase in patients experiencing breathing-related symptoms.

Public and private hospitals across the region had been directed to maintain priority lanes and ensure that respiratory medicines, including bronchodilators, are available should more patients seek treatment.

But as of Friday, however, no haze-linked respiratory illnesses had been recorded in Cebu, the Capitol said.

Dr. Van Philip Baton, chief of the Local Health Support Division at DOH-7, urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities while the haze remains.

“If it’s not necessary to go out, then do not go out. Reduce outdoor activities. For example, our runners now, we advise them to postpone all their training outside,” Baton said.

Runners and athletes, instead, were encouraged to move their workouts indoors, using treadmills or indoor gyms instead.

Health officials identified children under five, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions as particularly vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality.

They urged these groups to remain indoors as much as possible while the haze persists.

Residents were also advised to keep windows closed and limit nonessential outdoor activities.

Health officials cautioned against adding to household air pollution by smoking indoors, burning candles unnecessarily or burning household trash.(RBE)