Puerto Galera residents warned of haze health hazards

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Residents and visitors of Puerto Galera have been advised to take health precautions as haze caused by smoke from Indonesian forest fires blankets the municipality, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) warned on Friday, Sept. 4.

What may look like ordinary mist is actually a thick concentration of fine particles and pollutants that can cause a range of health problems, the MDRRMO said in an advisory.

Exposure to the haze may trigger eye irritation, coughing or sore throat, headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, allergic reactions and fatigue, the office cautioned.

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Children, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with allergies and outdoor workers are especially vulnerable and should take extra precautions.

“Minimizing exposure to polluted air is the best defense at this time,” the MDRRMO said, urging the public to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke from entering homes. Those who need to go outdoors should wear a properly fitting face mask to reduce the inhalation of airborne particles.

Motorists are also advised to keep vehicle windows closed and switch on the air-recirculation mode of their ventilation systems. Residents are likewise reminded to avoid smoking, burning garbage and other activities that add more smoke to the air.

Drinking plenty of water and refraining from strenuous outdoor physical activities are also recommended while haze conditions persist.

Residents are urged not to ignore serious symptoms. Anyone experiencing severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, prolonged coughing, severe headache or dizziness, confusion, or discoloration of the lips or face should immediately consult a doctor or proceed to the nearest health facility. INQ /mr