AS SULFUR dioxide levels from the erupting Taal Volcano remained high, the Department of Health (DOH) urged residents near the area to wear N95 masks and goggles, cover up and minimize skin exposure, and, as much as possible, stay at home to minimize health problems.
Sulfur dioxide, which is released from a volcano when magma is near the surface, irritates the eyes and skin, and causes respiratory problems, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday, July 2, 2021.
“Baka marami po sa inyo nakakaranas ng parang mahirap huminga, mabigat ang dibdib, o kaya ubo ng ubo, o makati ang lalamunan at ilong, ito po ay maari na epekto nitong sinasabi nating particles nitong sulfur dioxide emissions,” she said.
(A lot of you may be having difficulty breathing, coughing, or suffering from sore throat and nose. These are caused by the sulfur dioxide emissions.)
Residents are urged to stay at home, close doors and windows, and listen to instructions from their local government units.
If they must go out, they should wear N95 masks and goggles, long-sleeved clothes and pants.
Vergeire said an N95 mask is more effective in preventing inhalation of sulfur dioxide emissions.
Taal Volcano erupted with a short-lived dark grayish phreatomagmatic plume that rose by about one kilometer from the main crater at 3:16 p.m. Thursday, July 1, more than a year after its last eruption on January 12 to 13, 2020.
It was followed by four short phreatomagmatic bursts at 6:26 p.m., 7:21 p.m., 7:41 p.m. and 8:20 p.m., each producing short jetted plumes that rose about 200 meters above the main crater lake for up to two minutes.
In an advisory at 8 a.m. Friday, July 2, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said its Taal Volcano Network recorded 29 volcanic earthquakes, including one explosion-type earthquake, 22 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and two volcanic tremor events of three minutes over the last 24 hours.
Low-level background tremors have persisted since April 8, 2021, it added.
High levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose as high as 3,000 meters and drifted southwest and southeast were observed from the main crater.
Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide emission averaged 13,287 tonnes/day on July 1.
In addition, vog (volcanic smog) was observed over Taal Volcano and vicinity.
Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island began deflating in April 2021.
Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest), which means magma extruding from the main crater could drive explosive eruption.
Phivolcs has declared the entire Taal Volcano Island as a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
Entry into the island as well as into the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel have been prohibited and the residents have been ordered to evacuate due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami.
“Communities around the Taal Lake shores are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify,” Phivolcs said.
Civil aviation authorities were also urged to advise pilots to avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)