MODULE 5 most pollution enters the air from human-made (anthropogenic
What is Air Pollution? sources)
- Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere ● Volcanic activity
by harmful gases, chemicals, and particles. These ● Sea-salt spray
pollutants can harm human and animal health, ● Wind-blow dust
damage plants and ecosystems ● VOC
● Common pollutants: nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur Main Sources of Air Pollution
dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), and particulate matter ● Vehicles (emissions from cars, trucks, etc.)
(PM) ● Industries (factories, power plants)
● Household combustion (burning wood, coal, or other
fuels for cooking and heating)
What Causes Air Pollution?
● Air pollution is caused by both human activities and
natural events that release harmful substances into
the atmosphere.
Examples of Human Causes
- Burning fossil fuels for electricity and transportation
- Industrial processes
Sources of Air Pollution - Use of solid fuels for cooking and heating in homes
1. Man-made Air Pollution
Man-made air pollution, or anthropogenic pollution. The
primary sources include the burning of fossil fuels for
transportation, industry, and power generation, as well as
household combustion, agriculture, and waste incineration Examples of Natural Causes
● Fossil fuel - Wildfires
● Industry - Volcanic eruptions
● Agriculture - Wind-blown dust
● Waste management
2. Natural Air Pollution
There are natural processes that create air pollution — such
as sulfur and chlorine gases from volcanic activity, smoke, and
ash from wildfires, dust storms, and biological decay — but
2. Cooling effects
● Aerosols: Some air pollutants, such as sea
salt particles, can reflect sunlight back into
space, leading to a temporary cooling effect.
Other aerosols can also have either warming
or cooling effects depending on their
composition.
3. Other impacts
● More frequent/intense extreme weather
Effects of Air Pollution ● Faster melting of ice and snow
a. Effects on Human Health ● Changes to ecosystems and soil
● Causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases ● Feedback loops (e.g. wildfires release more
● Increases risk of cancer, stroke, COPD, and pollutant)
reproductive issues Economic Effect
● Short-term: eye, nose, throat irritation ● Increased healthcare costs due to pollution-related
● Long-term: chronic illnesses and early death illness
● Vulnerable groups: children, the elderly ● Reduced worker productivity
b. Effects on the Environment ● Damage to agricultural and tourism
● Contributes to climate change ● Greater burden to disadvantaged communities
● Causes acid rain, damaging ecosystem and water ● Pollution control can bring long-term economic
sources benefits
● Reduces crop yields, harm plants and animals AIR POLLUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
● “Manila has one of the highest population densities in
● Damages building and monuments
the world (about 12,600 people per square
● Reduces visibility in affected areas
kilometer)”
c. Effects on Climate
How Did Air Pollution Become A Concern?
1. Warming effects ● Rapid urbanization
● Black carbon: This component of fine ● Traffic Congestion
particulate matter absorbs sunlight, warming ● Industrial Activity
the atmosphere and accelerating the melting
of ice and snow. It is a significant contributor
to global warming.
● Methane: Is a powerful greenhouse gas that
traps heat in the atmosphere and can lead to
the formation of ozone.
● Tropospheric ozone: This ground-level ozone
is a greenhouse gas that absorbs solar and
infrared radiation, contributing to warming.
Air Quality Index (Based on US Environmental ● Year 2024:
Protection Agency) a. The Philippines ranked 74th worldwide
b. Most Polluted City: Pasig City (US AQI of 89)
c. Cleanest City: Carmona City in Cavite (US
AQI of 41)
What is the Current State of Air Quality in the
Philippines?
Main Pollutants Measured by AQI
● PM2.5 - Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions,
burning fuels, secondary particles from chemical
reactions
● PM10 - Dust from roads and construction, pollen, and
larger industrial emissions
Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in the Philippines (as of October
● Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - Produced mainly by cars,
2025) with their AQI
trucks, and industrial processes.
1. Tagaytay - 139
● Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) - Released by burning fossil
2. Pasay - 132
fuels, especially coal, in power plants and factories.
3. Las Pinas - 129
● Carbon monoxide (CO) - Produced by the
4. Taguig - 127
incomplete combustion of fuels from vehicles and
5. Lucena - 124
industrial sources.
6. Manila - 122
● Ozone (O₃) - Formed when pollutants from vehicles
7. Binan - 117
and industries react with sunlight.
8. Cabuyao - 112
What is the State of Air Quality in the Philippines?
9. Makati City - 112
Based on the World Air Quality Report:
10. Naga City - 110
● Year 2022:
a. The Philippines ranked 69th worldwide
b. Most Polluted City: Taguig City
c. Cleanest City: Balanga City in Bataan
● Year 2023:
a. The Philippines ranked 79th worldwide
b. Most Polluted City: Mandaluyong City
c. Cleanest City: Calamba City in Laguna
● “So during New Year, or at the peak, we observed Penalties Under RA 8749
from midnight to 2 a.m. that the levels rose up to ● For factories and industries (stationary sources):
150% higher than our guideline values for ○ Fine of up to 100,000 PHP per day of
violation until the pollution standard is met
PM10, reaching [an air quality index of] 390,”
○ Suspension or closure of operations may be
DENR-EMB AQMS Chief Jundy Del Soccoro said.
ordered
● “According to the Department of Health (DOH),
○ Permanent closure for repeated violations
inhaling smoke from fireworks can be ● For vehicles that exceed emission standards:
dangerous as it contains harmful chemicals.” ○ 1st offense: fine up to 2000 PHP
At least 100 of every 100,000 Filipinos die annually ○ 2nd offense: fine between 2000-4000 PHP
because of air pollution ○ 3rd offense: fine between 4000-6000 PHP
● “Roughly seven million people die each year, and suspension of vehicle registration for
one year
that’s globally, due to air pollution; a third of that
● For gross violations (repeated or serious offenses):
figure is actually in Asia. In the Philippines, that’s 100
○ Imprisonment of 6 to 10 years
people per 100,000 (dying) each year due to air Why Air Quality is Not Part of the Sustainable
pollution,” said Maria Obiminda Cambaliza, Manila Development Goals (SDGs)
Observatory air quality dynamics laboratory research
scientist.
● Citing the State of Global Air 2024 report, the Ateneo
School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) said
poor air quality remains the leading environmental
threat to human health worldwide, responsible for
8.1 million deaths in 2021 alone.
How to Address this Environmental Issue?
Air quality is integrated into several SDGs rather than being a
- Republic Act 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act of
standalone goal.
1999)
● SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Poor air
Objectives of the Law
quality causes respiratory and cardiovascular
● To protect and advance the right of every Filipino to
diseases.
breathe clean air,
● SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities:
● To maintain air quality that meets national standards,
Focuses on urban pollution and transport.
● To reduce emissions from all sources (vehicles,
● SDG 13 – Climate Action: Air pollution and
industries, and open burning)
greenhouse gases often overlap.
● To encourage the use of cleaner fuels and
technologies.
Key Provisions
1. Emission Standards
2. Ban on Open Burning
3. Air Quality Monitoring
4. Industrial Regulation
5. Promotion of Clean Energy
6. Public Participation
AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION - This law aims to protect and advance the right of
Air pollution prevention means stopping or minimizing the every Filipino to breathe clean air and maintain
release of harmful gases and particles into the atmosphere air quality within national standards. It seeks to
before they cause harm. Unlike pollution control, which deals reduce emissions from all sources, promote cleaner
with existing pollutants, prevention focuses on avoiding them technologies, and encourage public participation in air
at the source. This involves using cleaner energy, reducing quality management.
emissions from vehicles and industries, and promoting Key Provisions of R.A. 8749:
community efforts that keep the air clean and safe to breathe. 1. Emission Standards - establishes limits for
Global Approaches to Air Pollution Prevention pollutants coming from vehicles, industries, and other
1. TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY - Replacing sources.
fossil fuels with renewable sources like solar, wind, 2. Ban on Open Burning - Prohibits burning of solid
hydro, and geothermal energy helps lower the amount waste and other materials in open spaces.
of smoke ad toxic gases released into the air. 3. Air Quality Monitoring -Sets up monitoring stations
2. CLEANER TRANSPORTATION - Encouraging people across the country to track air pollution levels.
to use public transport, bicycles, or electric vehicles 4. Industrial Regulation - Prohibits burning of solid
helps reduce exhaust emissions from cars and trucks - waste and other materials in open spaces.
one of the biggest contributors to urban air pollution 5. Promotion of Clean Energy - Encourages renewable
3. INDUSTRIAL EMISSION CONTROL - Factories and energy use to lessen dependence on fossil fuels.
power plants install filters, scrubbers, and other 6. Public Participation - Involves communities and
control system to trap harmful particles before they citizens in reporting violators and supporting
are released into the atmosphere. Governments also government initiatives.
impose strict standards and penalties for non Penalties:
compliance Violators can face fines from ₱50,000 up to ₱10 million,
4. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND OPEN BURNING BAN - imprisonment for severe or repeated violations, and even
Proper waste segregation and recycling prevent open suspension or closure of operations until they comply with
burning which releases toxic smoke and particulate standards
matter. Many countries also implement “no burn” laws Other Laws in the Philippines Related to Air Quality
to protect air quality. 1. Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
5. URBAN GREENING AND TREE PLANTING- Trees System (PD 1586, 1978)
absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Increasing ● Purpose: Ensures environmental considerations,
green spaces in cities helps reduce air temperature including air quality, are considered before project
and trap dust and pollutants approval.
6. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION - ● Relevance: Projects must identify potential air
Information drives and environmental education pollution impacts and propose mitigation measures.
campaigns encourage citizens to make small, daily 2. Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste
changes such as conserving energy and avoiding Control Act (RA 6969, 1990)
waste - that add up to a large impact ● Purpose: Regulates the importation, manufacture, use,
and disposal of toxic and hazardous substances.
Air Pollution Prevention in the Philippines ● Relevance: Prevents the release of airborne toxic
- In the Philippines, air pollution prevention is guided substances and ensures proper management of
by several national laws, most importantly Republic hazardous chemicals.
Act No. 8749, known as the Philippine Clean Air
Act of 1999.
3. Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003,
2000)
● Purpose: Promotes proper waste segregation,
collection, and disposal to reduce environmental
pollution.
● Relevance: Reduces open burning of waste, a major
contributor to air pollution.
4. Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513, 2008)
● Purpose: Promotes the development and use of
renewable energy sources in the Philippines.
● Relevance: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, indirectly
decreasing air pollutants from energy generation.
5. Local Government Code (RA 7160, 1991)
● Purpose: Decentralizes governance and gives LGUs
authority to manage local resources and enforce
ordinances.
● Relevance: Local governments can regulate traffic,
industrial emissions, and open burning to protect air
quality.