Philippines issues health warning over volcanic ash

SGGP September 23, 2023 11:00

The small Taal volcano near the Philippine capital Manila spewed sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ) gas and ash on September 22, prompting authorities to close schools in five cities and dozens of towns and urge people to stay indoors.

Taal Volcano on a lake in Batangas province spews ash hundreds of meters into the sky on March 26, 2022 (photo provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology). Photo: AFP/VNA

Authorities have received reports of respiratory illnesses in Batangas province due to ash poisoning. The same day, the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority asked pilots to avoid flying near the summit of Taal Volcano because airborne ash and debris from sudden explosions could pose a hazard to aircraft.

Located in a beautiful lake in Batangas province near Manila, Taal is 311m high and is one of the 24 most active volcanoes in the Philippines. In January 2020, the volcano spewed ash and steam up to 15km high, forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate and dozens of flights were canceled as thick ash fell as far as Manila.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/philippines-canh-bao-ve-suc-khoe-do-khoi-bui-nui-lua-post706704.html