Tainted Metro Manila air threatens residents

The Department of Health on Friday warned the public of health risk of air pollution as the cases of respiratory diseases are steadily increasing in Metro Manila, frittering away some P52 million in 2006 and eating up as much as P910 million in health costs.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona in a press conference said that people should now stop the activities, which cause air pollution.

“Air pollution is a significant health issue as it turns the simplest and most basic act of breathing into a risk factor,” he said,

According to Ona air pollution is a major and leading cause of illness and death in the Philippines.

He said that common diseases caused by air pollution were allergic reactions, acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia, acute bronchitis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, carcinogenesis, physical damage to lungs and pulmonary fibrosis.

Ona added that of the top 10 leading causes of mortality in 2008, three are related to air pollution—chronic lower respiratory diseases, diseases of the heart and pneumonia.

The health official, however, said that the department together with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Communications, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine Medical Association will be holding a Clean Air Summit dubbed, “Usok Mo, Buhay Ko: Clean Air Summit for Metro Manila” on February 29 to address this issue.

Ona also said that the participants to this summit are expected to produce solution on the air pollution in Metro Manila.

Effects on economy

The Health secretary, citing the World Bank’s 2006 Philippine Environment Monitor, revealed that P52 million was lost both from the government and individuals because of reduced work days due to acute lower respiratory infection, pneumonia, COPD and cardiovascular diseases.

“These conditions also have economic impact as they are cause for missing work and added health expenses,” he said.

He also said that at about P910 million was spent on hospitalization and related medical expenses also because of acute lower respiratory infection/pneumonia, COPD and cardiovascular diseases

Meanwhile, according to the 2006 National Emission Inventory of DENR, majority or 65 percent of air pollution comes from mobile sources (jeeps, cars, motorcycles, tricycles, buses, trucks), while 21 percent stationary sources (factories, heavy industries, power plants) and 21 percent agricultural/waste burning, construction and similar activities.

“Let’s now act to this problem [air pollution] before it’s really too late,” he said. –JOVEE MARIE N. DELA CRUZ REPORTER, Manila Times