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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Air quality turns 'acutely unhealthy' in parts of NCR after New Year revelries — EMB

Air quality turns 'acutely unhealthy' in parts of NCR after New Year revelries — EMB

Published Jan 1, 2026 08:41 am  |  Updated Jan 1, 2026 05:09 pm
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
Air quality in several areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) deteriorated to “acutely unhealthy” levels early Thursday morning, Jan. 1, following New Year’s Eve celebrations, data from the Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring stations of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) showed.
As of 8 a.m., AQI readings for fine particulate matter (PM2.5)—pollutants small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs—registered “acutely unhealthy” air quality in several monitoring stations across the region.
Data indicated that Caloocan (North) and Makati both recorded PM2.5 AQI levels of 274, while Taguig (NAMRIA) logged a PM2.5 AQI of 260, all classified as “acutely unhealthy.”
Under the AQI classification system, air quality levels ranging from 201 to 300 are considered acutely unhealthy, meaning the general public may experience adverse health effects, while sensitive groups—including children, senior citizens, and people with heart or lung disease—face a higher risk of serious symptoms.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) said smoke from fireworks poses a higher asthma risk to children and senior citizens.
In contrast, several monitoring stations still posted “good” air quality based on PM2.5 readings. These included Marikina (CEMO), Muntinlupa (Filinvest City), Parañaque, San Juan City, Valenzuela, and Caloocan (University of the East), with AQI values ranging from 21 to 32.
Environmental authorities have previously noted that spikes in PM2.5 levels are commonly observed after New Year’s Eve due to smoke and fine particles released by the widespread use of firecrackers and fireworks.
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