TAAL volcano is now clear of the smog caused by its emission of sulfur dioxide, which blanketed surrounding areas, forcing the suspension of work and classes on Friday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

“In Taal, it’s clear now unlike the low visibility yesterday. So now, the Taal volcano is visible from Batangas, so basically, there is no vog already,” Phivolcs Director Teresito “Toto” Bacolcol said in an interview with The Manila Times on Saturday.

The Calabarzon Region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), especially near the Taal Lake area, has been covered by thick vog caused by the continuous emission of sulfur dioxide by Taal since early September.

Phivolcs said it measured a total of 4, 569 tons of volcanic sulfur dioxide per day as of Thursday, September 21 As of 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, however, the agency reported that the gas emission from the volcano decreased to 2, 730 tons per day.

Meanwhile, the same Phivolcs official also declared that the haziness in the air being experienced by Metro Manila residents as that coming from smog and not vog. (Amado Inigo/MNM)

MANILA — The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) addressed concerns on Friday, emphasizing that the volcanic smog, or vog, resulting from gas emissions from Taal Volcano in Batangas since early September, is not a cause for alarm.

Teresito “Toto” Bacolcol, Director of Phivolcs, attributed the vog to “persistent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions,” which could be linked to the fact that “the volcano did not release gas when it erupted in 2020.”

Bacolcol stated that residents need not panic, as the volcano’s alert level remains at Level 1. He asserted, “It is not a cause for concern, and there is no indication that we should raise the alert status to Level 2.”

However, Bacolcol conceded that he couldn’t predict when the vog would cease. “As long as the volcano continues to emit gas in this manner, vog can be expected in the area,” he cautioned.

As a precaution, he urged residents to remain vigilant and wear masks when they detect the presence of vog to safeguard their health.

Bacolcol explained, “Continuous upwelling continues at Taal’s main crater lake, producing steam plumes that rise to 2,400 meters before drifting west-northwest.”

Although only five volcanic tremors were recorded in the past 24 hours, Phivolcs reported a total of 4,569 tons per day of SO2 gas emissions.

Vog is composed of fine droplets containing volcanic gases, such as acidic SO2, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory system. The severity of these effects depends on gas concentrations and duration of exposure.

Phivolcs noted, “People who may be particularly sensitive to vog include those with underlying health conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and heart disease, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, and children.”

Currently, Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 1, signifying an abnormal condition with ongoing unrest and the potential for eruptive activity.

Phivolcs stated, “If there is a significant increase or notable changes in monitored parameters indicating renewed unrest, the alert level may be raised to Alert Level 2.”

At Alert Level 1, there is a possibility of sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and the release of lethal volcanic gases, posing a threat to areas within the island. (ai/mnm)