The Department of Health (DOH) has urged residents living near Taal Volcano in Batangas to wear face masks to protect themselves against the dangerous effects of volcanic gas or volcanic smog.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the health department said the DOH Calabarzon had warned against the effects of volcanic smog on an individual’s respiratory system as Taal Volcano remained under Alert Level 1 status.
The DOH then cited a report that 36 students from Bayorbor National High School and Bayorbor Senior High School in the Municipality of Mataas na Kahoy were hospitalized after experiencing chest pains and difficulty in breathing associated with dizziness.
"Some students also experienced stomach pain and numbness in both feet, while a student was admitted to a hospital receiving treatment and monitoring,” it added.
Photo courtesy: DOH Facebook page
The health department explained that “volcanic vog can cause irritation to a person's eyes, throat, and respiratory tract in severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure.”
DOH said communities near Taal had already received 4,100 face masks, and surveillance officers had been deployed in communities for health situation assessments.
The health department said it will continue to work closely with the provincial DOH office and Municipal Health Office for the needed assistance.
According to Phivocs’ latest bulletin as of Sunday, Sept. 10, Taal Volcano had six volcanic earthquakes in the last 24 hours, including 5 volcanic tremors that lasted for 1 minute and 15 seconds to 4 minutes.
The state seismologist said Taal Volcano also emitted 2,371 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux and 2,400 meters plume that drifted south-southwest and north-northeast.
Phivolcs said it observed long-term deflation in the Taal Caldera and short-term inflation in the northern flank of the Taal Volcano Island.
