As part of our commitment to advancing air quality research in the Philippines, Prof. Mylene Cayetano’s Environmental Pollution Studies Laboratory has partnered with Saitama University’s Sekiguchi Laboratory to conduct a series of collaborative air sampling activities in Metro Manila. This research aims to better understand the composition, and seasonality of size-segregated particulate matter (PM) in the region.
Last July 28, the principal investigator Prof. Kazuhiko Sekiguchi visited the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) alongside his technical staff, Dr. Yuta Kurotsuchi, and two students, Ms. Moli Muñoz (PhD 1st Year) and Mr. Masaki Hayashi (BS 4th Year). They were welcomed by Dr. Cherry Ringor, Dr. Mylene Cayetano, Ms. Allaysa Escobiñas, Mr. Ryan Lapresca and Ms. Sarah Caringal.
After a short meeting, the sampling setup was assembled on the IESM rooftop. Among the samplers is a KANOMAX Nanosampler II Model 3182, designed to collect and segregate PM in five stages: 10, 2.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1 µm. After collection, each sample will undergo chemical characterization to identify the components at each diameter.
Sampling activities for the wet season began on July 29 and are expected to conclude on August 11. Dry season sampling is scheduled for late January 2026.
We are proud to work alongside our colleagues from Saitama University in this meaningful endeavor, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration in the years to come.
