Health risk from ash ‘unclear’ say experts

HEALTH experts admitted yesterday that they did not know the health risks arising from the volcanic ash cloud spreading across Europe.

“It is unclear what exact health risks there would be from the ash cloud but Europeans should try to stay indoors if ash from Iceland’s volcano starts raining down from the sky,” said WHO spokesman David Epstein.

The Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) advised those who suffer asthma to remain vigilant but said there was no need for undue concern at the moment.

In a statement, the ASI said the ash was unlikely to be noticed by people on the ground. “If the situation changes people who suffer with respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) may notice their symptoms worsening.

“This will depend on a number of factors such as concentration of particles in the ash, proportion of the particles in the ash, duration and frequency of exposure to the ash and above all how well your asthma is controlled.”

Frances Guiney, the association’s asthma nurse specialist, warned sufferers to stay indoors if the volcanic ash reached respirable levels.

“If that occurs, people with lung conditions should go indoors, leaving their outer garments outside, and close windows and doors. Those who have to remain outside should wear goggles as it is also a nasty irritant to the eyes as well.”

Ms Guiney said the most important thing for those with asthma was to make sure their condition was being well-managed and to recognise any deterioration in their condition.

British health experts have also advised people with lung conditions to stay indoors. The Health Protection Agency in conjunction with Scottish advisors stress the small amounts of ash are unlikely to cause any serious harm.

But if people notice symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes or cough they may want to go inside, they advised. Those with conditions such as asthma may notice the effects more, they said.

The updated British recommendations come after reports of a small concentration of particles reaching the ground in Scotland.

Scientists have pointed out that, at ground level, volcanic ash can cause serious health problems. Dr Dougal Jerram, a volcanologist from the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University explained: “One of the most influential ever eruptions was the 1783-1784 event at Laki in Iceland when an estimated 120 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide were emitted, approximately equivalent to three times the total annual European industrial output in 2006.

“This outpouring of sulphur dioxide during unusual weather conditions caused a thick haze to spread across Western Europe, resulting in many thousands of deaths throughout 1783 and the winter of 1784.”

Many died from gas poisoning in Ireland and Britain.

Crop production fell in western Europe.

Following that event, many people reported seeing a “volcanic haze” near the ground. The current ash plume is not visible from ground level.

This was also a much smaller eruption and scientists have said that this is a relatively diffuse ash cloud that will blow away within one or two days.

- For a health risk update go online to The Asthma Society of Ireland’s website — www.asthmasociety.ie