Landlæknisembættið - Directorate of Health

20.04.2010

Acute effects of volcanic ash on health

An enormous amount of volcanic ash has been flowing from the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull. The ash is composed of fine particles of various sizes. About one quarter of the ash contains particles small enough (< 10 microns) to penetrate the lungs. Wind direction and other environmental circumstances determine the distribution of the ash.

A chemical analysis carried out in the first day of the eruption by the Institute of Earth Sciences (Jarðvísindastofnun) at the University of Iceland revealed that the amount of fluoride in dry ash was approximately 25 mg/kg. A one-centimetre thick layer of volcanic ash corresponds to 700–100 mg of fluoride per square metre, which means that there is a substantial hazard to farm animals. The second most prominent substance in the volcanic ash is silicon dioxide (SiO2). If the ash plume remains dry a more contaminated ash fall can be expected.

Volcanic ash can cause acute symptoms in people, mainly from:

The repiratory system:

• Nasal discharge (runny nose) and irritation
• Sore throat and coughing
• People with underlying heart and lung diseases may develop more severe symptoms from their diseases which may last for many days, such as coughing, production of sputum and breathing difficulties.

Eyes

Main symptoms are:

• Sensation as from foreign particles
• Sore eyes, itching, blood-shot eyes
• Eye discharge and tearing
• Scratches on the cornea
• Acute ophthalmitis, photosensitivity
• Volcanic ash is especially hazardous for those using contact lenses

Skin

• Irritation, soreness, reddening and itching of the skin, especially if the ash is acidic.

Recommendations to people in areas hit by volcanic ash fall:

• Use dust masks outdoors, preferably also protective clothing.
• If masks are not available, use a handkerchief or a piece of clothing that will filter out larger ash particles.
• Use of safety goggles is recommended.
• Children and adults with heart and respiratory diseases should stay indoors.
• Avoid the use of contact lenses.

Chief Epidemiologist for Iceland
Landspitali University Hospital
Civil Protection Department of the
National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police