THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (DENR-EMB 7) has reported that air quality levels in Cebu and Negros Oriental remain within safe limits as of Wednesday, December 12, 2024, following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
In the latest monitoring results from EMB 7, levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM10), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are all categorized as “good,” posing little to no risk to public health.
The EMB 7 data highlighted the following findings from key monitoring stations:
Barangay Mabigo, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental (10 kilometers [km] from the volcano):
Sulfur Dioxide: 3.4 µg/m³
PM10: 11.5 µg/m³
PM2.5: 4.3 µg/m³
Barangay Cabitoonan, Toledo City, Cebu (49 km from the volcano):
PM10: 27.35 µg/m³
PM2.5: 16.92 µg/m³
Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu (85 km from the volcano):
PM2.5: 8.88 µg/m³
All recorded levels were well within national guideline values, indicating minimal health risks.
The agency also explained that wind patterns have been transporting pollutants from the monitoring stations in Canlaon City and Toledo City towards western Negros Island.
Winds predominantly blowing southwest (SW) and northwest (NW) suggest that areas in Cebu are unaffected by pollution from nearby volcanic activity or industrial sources.
Monitoring
EMB 7 assured the public that it is closely monitoring air quality levels to ensure public safety, particularly in light of potential volcanic activity near Canlaon City.
As of December 12, EMB 7 is collecting air quality data from three monitoring stations to assess the effects of the eruption of Kanlaon.
One station in Mabigo, Canlaon City, located approximately 10 km from the crater and 200 meters from the nearest evacuation center (Macario Espanola School), replaces the previously established station in Masulog, Canlaon City (only four km from the crater) due to its close proximity to volcanic activity.
This station monitors the concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), which are key pollutants during volcanic eruptions. The installation of this station was finalized by 6 p.m. on December 11.
Two other monitoring stations located in Cebu Province, specifically in Mandaue City and Toledo City, are also being monitored to verify if the eruption has affected the air quality in neighboring areas of Cebu.
On Monday, December 9, Kanlaon Volcano briefly erupted, releasing a towering ash plume and superhot streams of gas and debris that hurtled down its western slopes.
The latest eruption did not cause any immediate casualties, but the alert level was raised to level three, indicating that further and more explosive eruptions may occur. (CDF)
