Manila: Negros Island Region Air quality status across the Negros Island Region (NIR) remains 'good,' based on the monitoring data of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) on Friday. "The DENR-EMB Negros Island Region is actively tracking air quality across the region. As of 8 a.m. Friday, air quality levels across all stations currently maintain good air quality index (AQI) level," the report said.
According to Philippines News Agency, the AQI levels are monitored in four stations, including the continuous ambient air monitoring station in Bacolod City, La Castellana town, and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, as well as in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental. Similar good AQI levels were also reported by the EMB-NIR on May 6. A similar good rating was released on April 22.
The air quality health guide explains that "good" means Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) levels range from 0 to 50, and "fair" from 51 to 100. PM refers to tiny solid or liquid particles in the air that can be harmful when inhaled, posing serious health risks to people. For PM10, Bacolod has a recent AQI of 15; La Castellana, 18; La Carlota, 16; and Canlaon, 5. For PM2.5, Bacolod is at 17; La Castellana, 24; La Carlota, 19; and Canlaon, 1.
PM10 are particles 10 micrometers or smaller, such as dust, smoke, and soot, that can reach the lungs. PM2.5, or ultrafine particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller, are more dangerous because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
