Respiratory health effects of volcanic ash with special reference to Iceland. A review

Abstract

Background and Aims: Volcano eruptions occur around the world and can have an impact on health in many ways both locally and on a global scale as a result of airborne dispersion of gases and ash or as impact on climate. In this review, a recent volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland is described and its effects on aviation around the globe and on respiratory health in those exposed to the volcanic ash in Iceland. Also, the effects of a large volcano eruption in Iceland in 1789 are described that also had effect on a global scale by causing air pollution. Methods and Results:The available studies reviewed here suggest that the acute and chronic health effects of volcanic ash depend on particle size (how much respirable), mineralogical composition (crystalline silica content) and the physicochemical properties of the surfaces of ash particles. These can vary between volcanoes and even between eruptions, making comparison difficult. Acute respiratory symptoms suggesting asthma and bronchitis have been well described. Exacerbations of pre-existing lung and heart disease are common after inhalation of volcanic ash. Limited information is available on increase in mortality from recent eruptions but historical evidence is well described. No long-term effects on lung function have been found after exposure to volcanic ash. There are concerns for the long-term risks of silicosis from chronic exposure to volcanic ash but no cases have been described. Conclusion: Acute respiratory symptoms after exposure to volcanic ash are well described but no long-term effects have been found. Please cite this paper as: Gudmundsson G. Respiratory health effects of volcanic ash with special reference to Iceland. A review. Clin Respir J 2011; 5: 2-9.

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“…On June 8, 1783 the Laki volcanic crater in Iceland erupted and continued erupting until February 1784. This released an estimated 8 million tons of hydrogen fluoride (HF) [16]. Grazing livestock had severe fluorosis symptoms including softening and deformation of bones and joints.…”

“…In areas thick with fine ash, mass death occurred within 8–14 days of the initial eruption and more than 60% of the grazing livestock died from HF poisoning in less than a year [17]. In the summer of 1783 the fallout created a haze in parts of France that increased the human death rate by 38% [16]. Currently, in the US over 200,000 children are in areas with fluoride levels in drinking water higher than 4 ppm [18] and the incidence of dental fluorosis has risen by 9% within the last 15–20 years [14].…”

An extreme wind erosion event of the fresh Eyjafjallajökull 2010 volcanic ash

“…Aeolian deposition can have positive benefits for vegetation and soils if deposition is moderate (e.g., in mm) by adding nutrients to the ecoystem9. Dust can, however, have adverse effects on humans such as on respiratory systems510. In addition, dust in the atmosphere can have substantial influence on climate, including solar radiation and precipitation11.…”

¿Son las cenizas volcánicas un riesgo para la salud respiratoria?: Revisión a propósito de la erupción del cordón del Caulle en junio de 2011

“…Si bien, no se han encontrado efectos a largo plazo de la exposición a ceniza volcánica sobre la función pulmonar, hay preocupación por el riesgo de silicosis luego de la exposición crónica a ésta 29 . Aunque aun no se ha demostrado que la exposición a las emanaciones de erupciones volcánicas produzca silicosis, hay que reconocer que en las últimas décadas sólo se han realizado estudios a largo plazo para evaluar el riesgo de silicosis luego de exposición crónica, en las erupciones del volcán Santa Helena (1980) y de Soufrière Hills (actualmente activo), en la isla Montserrat, Indias Británicas Occidentales.…”