Toxic city

FILMED over a five-hour period from the hills of Antipolo, you can see the gradual encroachment of smog choking Metro Manila in this time-lapse video.

Smog is a combination of smoke and fog. The smoke is caused by nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons emitted by motor vehicles. When this is warmed by the sun’s rays, a photochemical reaction occurs and smog forms.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has not measured smog since the late 80s. But it says that smog is a growing cause of concern, especially with more vehicles clogging the roads. Urbanization also means that there are now more households that emit hydrocarbons.

This video is a multimedia supplement of PCIJ’s Power and Poisons series.