Air quality over Metro Manila has yet to return to pre-incident levels days after the Navotas landfill fire, according to monitoring data released by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
PhilSA’s analysis of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations—captured daily at 8:45 a.m. from April 11 to April 23—shows that pollution levels have remained consistently above the baseline recorded on April 6, before the fire broke out. The trend suggests that the impact of the incident continues to linger across the capital region.
The data indicate notable spikes around mid-April, particularly on April 17 and April 20, when NO₂ levels peaked compared to other days in the monitoring period. Even on days with lower readings, concentrations did not fall back to pre-fire conditions.
A satellite-based map for April 23 further shows a concentrated plume of pollution over Metro Manila, with the highest levels detected near the Navotas landfill site. Surrounding areas, including parts of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Cavite, also registered elevated concentrations, though at lower intensities.
NO₂ is a pollutant commonly associated with combustion sources such as fires, vehicle emissions, and industrial activity, and is often used as an indicator of overall air quality. Elevated exposure has been linked to respiratory risks, particularly in densely populated areas.
PhilSA said the data were derived from the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) onboard the GEO-KOMPSAT-2B satellite, which provides atmospheric monitoring across Asia. Observations were standardized at a fixed morning time to allow daily comparisons, though levels typically decrease later in the day due to atmospheric dispersion.
The agency noted that the maps were generated using the best available data at the time of processing and remain subject to validation. It also emphasized that NO₂ levels may be influenced by multiple sources, including ongoing urban emissions.
The continued elevation in pollution levels highlights the broader environmental impact of the landfill fire and underscores the importance of sustained monitoring and mitigation efforts, particularly in high-density urban centers like Metro Manila.
