The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday, Sept. 21 said that volcanic smog or vog has been observed by the Taal Volcano Network (TVN) over the Taal Lake since 12:30 p.m.
Phivolcs said that an upwelling persists at the Taal Main Crater Lake which brings steam plumes rising at 2,400 meters high adrift west-northwest.
The volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the Taal Main Crater reached a total of 4,569 tons per day as of Sept. 21, while a "large cloud" of SO2 over and moving west of Taal Lake was also detected according to the report.
Phivolcs explained that the composition of vog can cause eye, throat, and respiratory tract irritation "with severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure."
Phivolcs also advised the elderly and people with health conditions such as asthma, lung, and heart diseases to limit their exposure to vog by avoiding outdoor activities.
"Protect yourself. Cover your 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, especially If serious effects are experienced," it added.
Moreover, Phivolcs said that during periods of rainfall and gas emissions, acid rain can be formed which can cause damage to crops while also affecting the metal roofs of houses and buildings.
According to Phivolcs, the Taal Volcano remains on Alert Level 1 or still under "abnormal condition" and "have not ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity."
With this, Phivolcs told the Local Government Units (LGUs) to check evacuated barangays and road accessibilities around Taal Lake. (Lizst Torres Abello)