Smog From Taal Volcano: What’s Happening?
Recent updates have revealed Taal Volcano emitting smog which has blanketed the southern Luzon and parts of the Metro Manila area. Here’s what we know.
Although some of us have not witnessed a live volcanic eruption, smog doesn’t bode good news either. Especially if the update is from the Philippines’ smallest volcano, Taal Volcano! While PhilVolcs has declared Alert Level 1 for the volcano, eruptions are just as unpredictable; they can swing from easy to control to completely burning homes and lives to the ground. Is Taal Volcano’s smog a sign that it’s about to blow? Here’s what we know:
Taal Volcano: The Smallest Volcano in the Philippines
For many families who often venture to Tagaytay for vacation, Taal Volcano has always been quite the vista from its namesake hotel. While it looks small from the surface, much of its base is submerged under the lake. Unlike the other volcanoes, Taal Volcano is also considered a caldera — a landform that’s shaped similarly to a cauldron or a bowl. Its constant eruptions shaped the land around it so much that water eventually filled the crater, creating what we know as Taal Lake.
Some of us may have noticed from afar that there are little islands inside the lake. Known as Volcano Islands, these are formed by the water’s sudden cooling of the magma.
What’s causing the volcanic smog?
Volcanic smog is not just the gases from the volcano; it’s a mixture of the former plus water, sunlight, and oxygen. The heat from the gas makes them react to one another faster, causing it to spread depending on where the wind is blowing. The smog, because of the different gases mixed in, ends up thick and acidic, making it hard for anyone within the area to breathe.
What can volcanic smog affect?
Besides visibility, volcanic smog can make people sick. Our lungs, assuming we don’t have any pre-existing problems like coughs, colds, influenza, pneumonia, etc., can only purify so much of the toxins. And if our kids have existing lung problems, they might need more than just a facemask. Some might even have to stay in a room with an air purifier to reduce the chances of them getting sick!
What can families do to reduce the smog in their homes?
The last thing we want is to pollute the air in our homes, especially if our kids have allergic rhinitis or asthma. Treat volcanic smog as bad as secondhand smoking; human bodies don’t have a high tolerance to sulfur and can become more prone to getting sick. Here are some ways to fight volcanic smog and prevent it from polluting our homes:
1. Stay indoors.
Keep everything sealed. The windows, the doors, and unfortunately, even the exhaust fans need to be shut. Volcanic smog can seep through the tiny crevices and keeping our homes airtight will make sure no toxic fumes can get in. It may be a little hot at first but, better to deal with the heat than toxic fumes.
2. Avoid heavy physical activity
We all love a good work out but not when the volcanic smog is floating around. When we’re working out, we breathe in a lot of air to keep our blood pumping. Unfortunately, the sulfur from the volcanic smog will make it harder for us to breathe and mix with our sweat, irritating our skin. If we do need to work out, try low-impact movements. At least we’ll be able to flex our muscles.
3. Dehumidify the place
Because sulfur reacts to water, a dehumidifier can draw out the volcanic smog from the air as it sucks in the water. Not only does it make the room feel less stuffy, a dehumidifier concentrates all the sulfur into one area and makes it easier to dispose of. Depending on how big the dehumidifier is and how much smog there is, some of us may have to empty the appliance twice a day.
4. If we need to go out, wear a thick mask.
We’re probably used to wearing masks by now because of the pandemic. But for volcanic smog, we’ll need one of those thicker masks because the particles are much bigger. It may be a bit hard to breathe but pacing our walking and organizing our schedules to complete three objectives in one place will lessen our exposure.
5. Stay hydrated.
No, we don’t mean with iced coffee, tea, or juice. We mean actual water! Because water reacts with sulfur, we can easily flush out the latter from our bodies in case we take in any. While it may be annoying to keep going to the bathroom to relieve ourselves, that’s our bodies’ way of detoxifying and cleaning themselves.
Volcanic smog may not be impressive visually but it still hurts people!
While volcanic smog is not a common occurrence in the metro, many families have invested in lands down at CALABARZON — in areas like Batangas, Laguna, and even Cavite. Although Taal Volcano’s volcanic smog is still within the Batangas zone, there’s no telling which way it will go. And for those who are living there with their families, make sure to follow the PhilVocs bulletin board for the latest update about Taal Volcano and the smog.
More about calamities and natural disasters?
How Natural Disasters Negatively Affect Children
What Families Can Learn from Typhoon Yolanda a Decade Later
Brace Yourselves, Typhoon Carina is Coming!
