The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) sounded the alarm on Thursday, unveiling the unwelcome presence of volcanic smog, or “vog,” at Taal Volcano in Batangas. The discovery has triggered widespread concerns over potential health risks and environmental repercussions.

In their latest advisory, Phivolcs confirmed that this hazy visitor, vog, made an unwelcome appearance at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and has stubbornly lingered since. What’s fuelling this voggy drama? State volcanologists reveal an ongoing upwelling at Taal Main Crater Lake, causing steam plumes to ascend to breathtaking heights, reaching an astonishing 2,400 meters and drifting in a west-northwest trajectory.

But the vog’s theatrics don’t end there. Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions from Taal Main Crater have surged, reaching a daily tally of a staggering 4,569 tons. As if to leave no room for doubt, a colossal cloud of SO2 looms ominously to the west of Taal Lake.

Phivolcs revealed that vog has been casting its shadow over the Taal region since the first week of September 2023, with an average daily release of 3,402 tons of SO2 from Taal Volcano for the month. It’s akin to an extended voggy vacation, with no clear check-out date in sight.

While vog may sound like an innocuous term, it’s anything but. Comprised of fine droplets laden with volcanic gases, particularly sulfur dioxide, vog poses a grave threat to human health. It is notorious for causing irritation to the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract. To mitigate risks, Phivolcs has issued a set of crucial precautions.

Dr. Maria Santos, a leading health expert, advises, “For individuals with conditions like asthma, lung disease, heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children, utmost caution is essential.” The advisory includes the following measures:

• Stay Indoors: Reduce outdoor activities and maintain doors and windows firmly sealed to keep vog at bay.
• Mask Up: Wearing an N95 facemask to cover both nose and mouth is indispensable to shield against vog’s harmful effects.
• Stay Hydrated: Vog-induced throat irritation can be alleviated by staying well-hydrated. Seek prompt medical assistance if symptoms escalate.

Adding to the list of concerns, state volcanologists have sounded a fresh warning about the looming threat of acid rain. When gas emissions commingle with rain, it can prove detrimental to crops and corrode metal roofs, potentially inflicting substantial damage.

Currently, Phivolcs has maintained Taal Volcano at Alert Level 1, signifying ongoing unrest but without an imminent eruption on the horizon. In response to this voggy conundrum, local government units in Batangas and neighboring regions have proactively suspended Friday classes, prioritizing the safety of residents.

As the vog story unfolds, residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow Phivolcs’ guidance diligently. In the face of such natural theatrics, precaution and preparedness remain the watchwords of the day.