MANILA, Philippines - Record levels of air pollution from firecrackers worsened by the lack of wind and rains caused a blanket of smog to envelope a large portion of Metro Manila until the afternoon of New Year's Day, according to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

Paje said that on New Year's Day, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources measured 2 levels of particulate matters or tiny solid particles suspended in air small enough to enter a person’s lung and cause serious respiratory ailments.

He said normal levels of particulate matters 10 (PM10) and 2.5 (PM2.5) are at 150 micrograms and 65 micrograms per cubic meter. But on New Year's Day, he said the PM10 levels reached as high as 950.

"There was no rain, no wind and there was really a lot of pollution....This is why up to 3 p.m., we still had smog. This is probably the reason why flights were diverted," he said in a radio dzMM interview.

The environment chief said he is planning to suggest a total ban on the public use of firecrackers by next year.

“Pinu-push talaga namin, at sinusuportahan ako ni President Aquino dito na kung pu-pwede, yung pag-celebrate ng New Year at pasko next year, ay wala nang paputok. At kung meron man, it has to be managed by the LGUs (local government units) only,” he said.

“Katulad sa ibang bansa, isang lugar lang, at yung LGUs lang ang pwedeng magpaputok. At manunuod na lang yung mga tao,” he added.

Paje noted that animal manure used as extenders in some firecrackers is to blame for the foul odor in the smoke.