The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in coordination with the Department of Health – Health Promotion Bureau (DOH – HPB), facilitated the consultation among the Inter-agency Committee of Environmental Health (IACEH) members for the Development of Guideline Values for Additional Hazardous Air Pollutants on 31 May 2022 via Microsoft Teams. The agenda included the presentation and review of the draft DENR Administrative Order on the National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values for the following additional hazardous air pollutants:
- Black Carbon
- Potentially toxic elements from particulate matter:
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Lead
- Gaseous hazardous air pollutants:
- Dihydrogen sulfide
- Benzene
- Toluene
- p-Xylene
The Chief of the EMB – Environmental Quality Management Division (EQMD), Engr. Marcelino N. Rivera, Jr., welcomed the participants from different agencies, such as the World Health Organization, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Clean Air Asia, Department of Energy – Oil Industry Management Bureau – Oil Industry Standards and Monitoring Division, Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Working Conditions – Program Management and Technical Support Services Division Manila Observatory, Department of Labor and Employment – Occupational Safety and Health Center – Environment Control Division, DOH – HPB, Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Nuclear Services Division, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Department of Interior and Local Government – Bureau of Local Government Development – Local Administrative Development Division. In his welcome remarks, Engr. Rivera highlighted that the EMB is leading the development of guideline values and standards using science-based methods with the help of academe and reputable individuals.
While the EMB Assistant Director, Engr. Vizminda A. Osorio, delivered the opening remarks and stated EMB’s strategy to protect, maintain, and advance the right of the people to healthy air.
The Chief of the EMB – EQMD – Air Quality Management Section, Engr. Jundy T. Del Socorro, provided the participants with the background of the development of National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values for Additional Hazardous Air Pollutants. Dr. Mylene G. Cayetano, the consultant from the University of the Philippines – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, presented the draft policy on the National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values for Additional Hazardous Air Pollutants. The IACEH members then provided their comments and inputs on the conducted study and draft policy for the development of guideline values for additional hazardous air pollutants.
EMB Assistant Director Osorio then delivered the closing remarks. Comments and inputs gathered in the consultation will be taken into consideration for the finalization of guideline values for additional hazardous air pollutants.