Batangas diocese asks for N95 mask donations

THE Catholic Church in the province of Batangas has again appealed for N95 masks after the Taal Volcano showed an increased emission of harmful sulfur dioxide.

The Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Center (Lasac) said the face masks are intended primarily for residents near the volcano.

“There is still a need for N95 [masks], especially the areas near the Taal Volcano,” it said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that a high volcanic sulfur dioxide emission reaching 13,572 tons was observed in the volcanic area on Thursday, August 11.

This has caused “significant volcanic smog” or vog over the Taal Caldera, and the volcanic gas is expected to drift east to the north-northeast of the volcano island (TVI).

Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas, which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract in severities, depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure.

People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with asthma, lung disease, heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children.

Phivolcs advised communities that may be affected by vog to avoid outdoor activities to limit their exposure as well as to keep their doors and windows closed.

It also urged residents to wear a mask, ideally an N95, and to drink plenty of water to reduce throat irritation.

In an advisory on Friday, August 12, Phivolcs said vog was observed to thicken between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sulfurous stench was reported by residents of Banyaga, Agoncillo; Poblacion 5, Buso-buso, and Gulod in Laurel; and Poblacion 1 in Talisay, Batangas.

“Since the beginning of August 2022, there has been an increase in degassing activity in the form of visible upwelling of volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake, and emission of voluminous steam-rich plumes that last night rose 2,800 meters above TVI,” the advisory read.

Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest), which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and expulsions of volcanic gas could threaten areas within Taal’s permanent danger zone.

In a statement, Lasac said face mask donations may be brought to its headquarters at the St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary compound in Lipa City.