THE Sabah Meteorological Department has dismissed worries of acid rainfall due to toxicity in clouds after Mount Ruang erupted in North Sulawesi.
Department director Amarzudi Hashim said any chemical released in the eruptions would likely be diluted by rainfall.
“Water from the clouds will dilute the chemicals, rendering them harmless,” he said.
Sabah climatologist Datuk Ramzah Dambul also rejected the possibility of acid rain as the level of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere were extremely low.
“The air quality in Sabah and Sarawak has not been affected by pollutants," he said.
The air quality index continues to show moderate to good readings at the 68 monitoring stations in East and West Malaysia.
Sulphur dioxide gas emissions from volcanic eruptions are known to cause acid rain and air pollution downwind from the volcano.
This poses significant health risks, including infectious disease, respiratory illness, burns, injuries from falls, and accidents related to hazardous road conditions. – The Vibes, April 20, 2024
