Air Monitoring and Treatment

Cheaper Air Pollution Sensor Project funded by DOST's R&D

Air pollution is one of the major concerns of the Philippines. The increase in population makes inevitable for pollution. In Metro Manila, air pollution in roads are high. The Air Quality monitoring stations in EDSA-MRT recorded more than twice the normal of 90 micro grams per cubic meter.

It is essential to establish more AQM but it is expensive. The Ateneo de Manila and Manila Observatory is designing an air pollution sensor that is cheaper. The tester was funded for 3 years which costs 2.8m from the Department of Science and Technology.

USec. Carol M. Yorobe, Officer-In-Charge of DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), which monitors the DOST Grants-In-Aid project, said that "This instrument will also help the Philippine government realize the objective of the Clean Air Act of 1999, which is to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos"

The air sensor measures sulfur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Dr. James B. Simpas, who is currently the head of the Urban Air Quality and Instrumentation and Technology Development Programs of the Manila Observatory and an assistant professor in ADMU’s Department of Physics said that "We considered actual field conditions, and we incorporated recent advances in spectroscopy technology in the design. This instrument is designed for maximum functionality at minimum cost". The calibration unit of the instrument is currently undergoing functional tests. Once fully operational, the instrument will be housed at the Manila Observatory, alongside the AQM station of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau.

Air Pollution Control Policy Options for Metro Manila

A discussion paper published in December 2003, regarding the vast issues of air pollution in the Philippines and what are its possible options to counter it. Their research has concluded three possible policy option in reducing the seriously degrading air quality in the Philippines. Their research team recommends a pilot diesel retrofit program for utility vehicles along with a low-cost technology that is effective at 2000 ppm sulfur content.

A copy of the research material can be found here:
http://www.rff.org/documents/RFF-DP-03-30.pdf