Taal Volcano has emitted an average of 15,416 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) per day on Sunday, Aug. 22, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Monday, Aug. 23.
Phivolcs said Taal Volcano has manifested a rising trend in volcanic SO2 degassing since Aug. 13, and the last time it recorded over 15,000 tons of SO2 was on Aug. 19 at 15,347 tons of SO2 per day.
It pointed out that the high SO2 flux continues to produce volcanic smog or "vog" over the Taal region.
Phivolcs defines vog as a type of air pollution caused by volcanoes. It contains fine droplets of volcanic gas, such as sulfur dioxide, which is acidic and can cause eye, throat, and respiratory tract irritation in severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure.
In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs also observed that the activity at the main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in Taal Lake, which generated plumes 3,000 meters high.
Due to Taal Volcano's recent activity, Phivolcs has been warning those living in communities surrounding Taal Lake to protect themselves from the vog.
People particularly sensitive to such ill effects are those with underlying health conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and heart disease, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, and children.
"Avoid outdoor activities, stay indoors, and shut doors and windows to block out vog. Cover nose, ideally with an N95 facemask. Drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction," Phivolcs said.
"If belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people above, watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed. If serious effects are experienced, call the doctor or the barangay health unit," it added.
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, which means that sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around the volcano island.
Phivolcs reminded the public that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.
Boating on Taal Lake must also be prohibited, it added.