Haze is a familiar thing in the Philippines. Before the ongoing fires in Indonesia, which were cited as a potential cause of haze in Metro Manila, a thick smoke previously covered the region when the Navotas Sanitary Landfill caught on fire in April.

Whenever the haze occurs, air quality becomes a concern, and that is primarily monitored by the 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). During that occurrence, the main threat lies in the air we breathe, which directly affects our respiratory health.

According to the Air Quality Management Section of DENR, there is an administrative order that establishes the breakpoints for the PM2.5  quality index.

These are the breakpoints to identify whether the air quality is safe or not, according to the DENR;

1. GREEN - Good (0-25) - no cautionary statement
2. YELLOW - Fair (25.1 to 35.0) - no cautionary statement
3. ORANGE  - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (35.1 to 45.0) - Individuals with asthma are advised to limit outdoor activities
4. RED - Very Unhealthy (45.1 to 55) - Hazardous for individuals with heart and respiratory diseases. The public is advised to avoid heavy traffic areas.
5. PURPLE - Acutely Unhealthy (55.1 to 90) - Individuals with heart and respiratory diseases are advised to stay indoors. People must limit outdoor exposure. Motor vehicles and industrial activities are restricted.
6. MAROON - Emergency (above 91) - Everyone must stay indoors. The use of motor vehicles will be allowed for emergency purposes.

The breakpoints for PM2.5  quality index were reviewed through a collaborative effort of the following institutions, agencies, and organizations, such as:

• Environmental Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) 
• EMB Central Office Air Quality Management Section (AQMS)
• University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (UPIESM)
• Department of Health
• World Health Organization
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
• Department of Transportation (DOTR)

Amid haze, it is important to stay tuned and rely only on the official updates from the authorities to keep you safe and healthy.