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Waiting to exhale
DO YOU know that November is Clean Air Month? Thanks to Presidential Proclamation No. 1109, series of 1997 that gives premium to the air we breathe. Is this observance important? Of course it is. If you don’t believe this, then stop breathing and let’s see if you won’t turn blue or die!
This national observance should make us ponder on the vital steps to improve our air quality. There are many easy ways of cleaning the dirty air that has become a scourge of relentless urbanization. Small or big, personal or communal, we all must take action to protect the air, a shared resource, from degrading any further. For example, we can plant and nurture trees. Trees cleanse the air by absorbing pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide and supply humans and animals with oxygen.
The high quantities of TSP in our air are disturbing if not alarming. TSP or total suspended particulate matters are tiny airborne particles or aerosols from human or natural sources that enter and pollute the atmosphere. Smoke-belching vehicles, open burning of trash and the uncontrolled releases from industries are top sources of particulate emissions which can lead to ill health or death. The children, the elderly and those suffering from heart and respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema are most susceptible to the adverse effects of TSP exposure.
So what can we do to improve air quality? We can start by not dumping or setting trash on fire. Let’s cut our waste size to the minimum by consuming wisely and making it a daily habit to segregate, reuse, repair, recycle and compost. Let’s grow and nurture plants and trees to improve the quality of air around us.
Let’s quit smoking to prevent tobacco smoke, a known human carcinogen, from harming your lungs and the health of those near you.
If you are moneyed type, refrain from buying extra cars for personal or family use. 15. Have your car serviced regularly and drive properly. Report smoke-belchers to the Environmental Management Bureau or to your provincial, city or municipal environmental officers.
Convert to cleaner fuels if possible. Campaign for tricycles to switch to biodiesel.
Educating our people about the Clean Air Act and its implementation is most basic. We cannot overemphasize the value of raising public awareness and action to combat air pollution. Because we cannot forever hold our breath to avoid dirty air.
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