SFU professor, WHO warn of health risk from volcanic ash

NASA photo shows ash (brown) from U.K. on left to Germany (on right.)

BURNABY, B.C. – A top SFU professor of environmental health says the Icelandic volcano ash that has disrupted air travel poses a significant risk for people already suffering from respiratory ailments.

SFU health scientist Professor Ryan Allen joined other top experts from the U.N. and the CDC in warning that there could be a health hazard from the ash that has blanketed areas of Europe and made flying dangerous for aircraft.

“Pollutants reaching ground level are the most serious concern,” said Allen in an interview.

“We don’t have that much research on health effects from volcanoes, but we do know that air pollution goes up, which increases mortality, hospitalizations and emergencies especially for those with underlying conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease,” he said.

The United Nations health agency, WHO, has issued warning of health risks related to the Icelandic volcano. Although the extent of these risks are not yet known, they pose significant health problems to those with underlying respiratory problems, said the agency.

The size of the particles in the ash have everything to do with the extent of the risk from the eruption of the Eyjafjalla volcano which took place on Wednesday, April 14.

They are small enough at less than 10 microns in size, to be able to penetrate deeply into the lungs, the World Health Organization reported.

Approximately 25% of the ash particles fall into this range.

Those with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis need to take special precautions because they are more susceptible to problems that can be caused when the ash reaches high concentrations in the lower atmosphere.

The likelihood of health risks is reduced if the ash remains in the upper atmosphere.

WHO observes that at present the cloud is suspended in the atmosphere, and particles have not yet settled. But when they do, they can cause health concerns.

As for the threats to countries outside Europe, such as the United States and Canada, Professor Allen maintains, “The mass will move, and as it does it will dilute and decrease. It’s hard to say with certainty the total areas that will be impacted or how large those areas might be or the numbers of people affected. It will depend on concentrations of the ash at ground level.”

For those in the cities of developed countriesAllen said there is some good news.

“Most cities of any size monitor the levels of sulphur dioxide and pollutants and will report any increases if they go up.”

Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Public Health and Environmental Department, had this to say about current conditions:

“Since the ash concentration may vary from country to country depending on the wind and air temperatures, our advice is to listen to local public health officials for the best guidance for individual situations.”

“If people are outside and notice irritation in their throat and lungs, a
runny nose or itchy eyes, they should return indoors and limit their outdoor activities,” said Neira

Daniel Epstein of the World Health Organization told a news conference today that WHO might issue an advisory when the ash reaches the lower atmosphere.

“At that point, WHO might recommend that people stay indoors as much as possible, and if they did go outdoors, people with respiratory problems should wear a protective mask,” he said in Geneva.

The Centers for Disease Control said today “they do not yet have directive from the World Health Organization and will advise people in the Americas if there any problems related to the volcanic activity in Iceland.”

Bernadette Berber of the CDC said her office will issue public guidance when the there is a problem with air polution that could affect health.

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Posted by Carol Forsloff on Apr 16 2010. Filed under Featured, Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry