THE UNIVERSITY and the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) inaugurated on June 18 the second Continuous Ambient Particulate Monitor (CAPM) device in Region I installed at the west part of the university’s twin gate. The first of this kind is in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

The establishment of the CAPM is in accordance with the government’s Clean Air Act of 1999 which advances the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. It is also in line with the promotion and protection of the local environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of MMSU and DENR to deal with environmental problems.

The device measures the ambient air quality in the MMSU campus and throughout the City of Batac. It determines the general amount of pollution present in a broad environment and refers to the atmosphere’s average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution such as vehicles and burning matters.

Engineer Joel Salvador, EMB regional director, said the CAPM is part of the national government’s advocacy to recognize that its responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based and that it also recognizes the principle that “polluters must pay.” “Pursuant to these principles, the following rights of citizens, such as the right to breathe clean air and enjoy natural resources according to the principles of sustainable development, are hereby sought,” he said.

The instrument, which is a joint project of MMSU and DENR that started in March, cost P3 million which the DENR provided. It monitors real time ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations of 2.5 and 10 within the university compound and surrounding environment.

The PM, also known as particle pollution, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets from the environment and in the atmosphere. It is made up of a number of components, including acids such as nitrates and sulfates, organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The CAPM measures dust particles in the air as they enter the inlet and their concentrations are detected by the components of the apparatus. The numbers 2.5 and 10 are sizes of particles in air that people breathe. These are expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).

For instance, PM10 and PM2.5 are sizes of major concern because these can penetrate more deeply into the lungs, and have been linked to adverse health effects in people. Typical sources of PM10 emissions are from crushing and grinding machines, and dust from cemented and dirt roads, while PM2.5 are emissions from motor vehicles, fossil fuel power plants, and wood burnings, among others.

The device analyzes the status of the air and automatically sends it to EMB. The results shall be used by the DENR in preparing the annual National Air Quality Status Report employed as basis in formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework as provided for in the Clean Air Act.   

The device is composed of a rain gauge which measures rainfall intensity, wind vane which shows wind direction, and an anemometer which measures wind speed. It is manned by Dr. Floramante Pastor, a trained MMSU researcher and environmentalist in terms of air quality assessment.