The Philippine Medical Association and Ecowaste Coalition on Monday appealed to the people to celebrate New Year using alternative noisemakers to minimize health-damaging toxic emissions, particularly in urban centers like Metro Manila.
The revelers, the groups said, might use torotot and home-made noisemakers that create no toxic fumes and wastes.
In support of the Iwas Paputok campaign of the Department of Health, the PMA sought the cooperation of the public to cut the environmental pollution caused by exploding firecrackers as well as the burning of used tires and garbage during and after the festivities.
“Aside from the well-reported firecracker-related injuries, the pervasive use of firecrackers and fireworks contributes to air pollution that reaches levels deemed hazardous to human health,” said Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, head of the PMA’s Environment Health and Ecology Committee.
“The particulate matter [PM] and other air pollutants from the detonation of firecrackers and fireworks will worsen our air quality, posing health risks, especially among children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and heart ailments,” he added.
Citing data from the monitoring conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the groups said that air pollution soared to “dangerous levels” at the height of the New Year’s revelry last year.
DENR reports showed that the levels of PM 1O and PM 2.5 in some areas in Metro Manila rose to up to 2,000 micrograms per normal cubic meter, way above the National Ambient Guideline Value of 60 mcg/ncm for PM 10, and 35 mcg/ncm for PM 2.5.
Based on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s guideline, air quality is “unhealthy” at over 100 mcg/ncm and is “hazardous” at 300 mcg/ncm.
“The extreme pollution from the unrestrained blasting of firecrackers and fireworks goes against the Clean Air Act, which recognizes the right of every citizen to breathe clean air,” said Aileen Lucero, Ecowaste Coalition coordinator.
“For a change, let us welcome 2016 in a safe and non-toxic way that will not inflict harm on humans, animals and the environment,” she said.
In Manila, Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the Manila police chief Rolando Nana to intensify their campaign against illegal firecrackers.
Manila posted 228 firecracker injuries last year and most of the victims are minors aged 5 to 14 years-old.
“I ordered the chief of the MPD to strictly enforce the ordinance banning the use and sale of illegal firecrackers such as piccolo and super lolo. Every year, many children are brought to hospitals for injuries caused by firecrackers,” Estrada said.
Among the prohibited firecrackers are “Bawang,” “Lolo Thunder,” and “Goodbye Philippines,” improvised PVC cannons known as “boga” and different types of imported fireworks from China.
Estrada stressed the importance of staying away from firecrackers which, he said, have serious damaging effects, especially to the young generation, as he noted that too many people have already lost body parts or suffered blindness and other disabilities resulting to firecrackers.
He also tapped Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Johnny Yu to ensure that proper implementation of the ordinances prohibiting illegal firecrackers are followed.
Last week, the Metro Manila Development Authority reminded the local government units of a policy to designate common fireworks display zones in their localities to prevent or lessen fireworks-related injuries this holiday.
Members of the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy making body, passed a resolution noting that National Capital Region posted the highest number firecrackers-related emergencies in previous years because of unsafe practice among revelers.
In 2014, the health department recorded most fireworks-related injuries from the National Capital Region (57%). Specifically, most cases came from Manila and Quezon City.
Most of those injured were victims of firecrackers Plapla, Kwitis, Five Star and Piccolo, which are inlcuded in the list of prohibited firecrackers based on Republic Act 7138 regulating and controlling the manufacture and distribution of firecrackers.
MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos said “freedom parks” and open spaces are common areas, designated as “fireworks display zones.”