Issue No. 69 - March - April 2012 - DOH

airborne particles or aerosols of two sizes:10 micrometers or less and 2.5 micrometersor less. These are collectively referred to astotal suspended particles (TSP), a regulatorymeasure of the mass concentration of PM incommunity air. These particles constantlyenter the atmosphere from human sourceslike motor vehicle use, combustion productsfrom space heating, industrial processes,power generation, and smoking tobacco. Thehealth effects include reduced lung function,inflammation of the lungs, increasedsusceptibility to respiratory infections,aggravation of heart and lung diseases,and may cause chronic bronchitis and lungcancer.Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), a poisonousgas with a pungent, irritating smell releasedfrom vehicular emissions, combustion offossil fuel (coal and heavy oils) and industrialemissions. Its health effects are breathingdifficulties, eye irritation, chest tightness,especially among asthma sufferers, andaggravation of heart and lung diseases.Nitrogen Oxide (NO 2) is a binarycompound of oxygen and nitrogen or amixture of such compounds found in vehicleexhaust, tobacco smoke and smog. Itshealth effects are irritation of the respiratorytract, increased susceptibility to respiratoryinfection, and impaired lung function.Carbon Monoxide (CO) is acolorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that isslightly lighter than air. It is found in vehicularemissions resulting from incompletecombustion. It can cause headaches,dizziness, chest pains among those sufferingfrom cardiovascular disease, and deathwhen exposed in high concentration.Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) are organic chemicals that havea high vapor pressure at ordinary, roomtemperatureconditions. Their high vaporpressure results from a low boiling point,which causes large numbers of moleculesMan-made outdoor and indoor air pollution affects the lungs and other vital organs of the body. Photograbbed from .to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid orsolid form of the compound and enter thesurrounding air. VOCs are numerous, varied,and ubiquitous. They include both naturallyoccurring chemical compounds and manmadelike in vehicular emissions andbiomass burning. VOCs can cause irritationof the eyes, nose and throat, headaches,nausea and loss of coordination.Ground Level Ozone (03) or“bad” ozone is not emitted directly into theatmosphere. It results from photochemicalreactions between NO 2and VOCs in thepresence of sunlight. It can cause itchinessand burning of the eyes, irritation andinflammation of the lungs, breathingdifficulty, and increased susceptibility torespiratory infections.Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAH) are chemical compounds that containmore than one fused benzene ring. Theyare commonly found in petroleum fuels,coal products, and tar; e.g. Naphthalene,Anthracene and Phenanthrene. Theyare produced by combustion processes,including solid fuel use in households;tobacco smoke; vehicular and industrialemissions. Long-term exposure to PAH canlead to cancer, and affects the reproductivesystem, liver, lungs and skin.Usok Mo, Buhay KoOn February 29, the DENR and itspartners conducted a Clean Air Summit forMetro Manila dubbed as “Usok Mo, BuhayKo” which was participated in by close to400 participants coming from nationalgovernment agencies, local governmentunits (LGUs) and civil society.The Summit was organized by theDENR’s Environmental Management Bureau(EMB), along with the Department of Interiorand Local Government, the Department of40 HEALTHbeat I March - April 2012