Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Air quality in major streets within guideline value: environment agency
ZAMBOANGA City continues to enjoy unpolluted and quality air level, according to an analysis conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Alan de Gala, regional head of the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said analysis for Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) of the air samples collected from traffic prone areas during the fourth quarter of the year showed that it is "within the guideline value."
In a letter to Mayor Celso Lobregat, De Gala reported that the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for TSP in Zamboanga City is 230 microgram per cubic meter, way below the guideline value of 300 microgram per cubic meter.
Air samples were collected from three air quality monitoring stations established in the City, these are located at the Zamboanga City Medical Center, Dr. Evangelista Street, corners Veterans Avenue and Governor Lim Avenue (Station 1), barangays Sto. Nino and San Jose (Station 2) and at the Philippine International Development Incorporated (Phidco) Baliwasan seaside (Station 3).
The TSP concentration per station is as follows: Station 1-144 microgram per cubic meter, station 2-150 microgram per cubic meter, and station 3-113 microgram per cubic meter.
The samples were taken continuously for 24 hours, once every six days for each station.
The DENR periodically updates the analysis of the TSP concentration, according to de Gala.
As this developed, Lobregat said the City Government, through the City Pollution Control Office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENR), is doing its share by implementing the necessary measures to maintain good quality of air level in the city. (SE)
