Volcanic ash - danger to humans?

[sillydoll]

If you suffer from respiratory disorders, it might be worth wearing a mask and taking other precautions when traveling in the far northern countries.

My sister, who suffers from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder - emphysema and bronchitis) and I, are reconsidering our trip to Russia in 2 months time.
Even though the U.K. Health Protection Agency (HPA) has advised Brits not to worry about the affects of ash, saying in a statement that the cloud from the recent eruption isn't a significant health risk to the public because it's "trapped" in the atmosphere at a high altitude, a recent WHO report warns that volcanic ash is potentially dangerous for people with respiratory disorders.

The World Health Organisation is warning that ash which has already reached the ground is potentially dangerous and if inhaled could cause respiratory problems. A spokesman said the exact health risks from this ash cloud are not yet known. Patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma should take special precaution to avoid exposure to ash particles and be aware that the use of any respirator other than single-use (disposable) respirator may cause additional cardio-pulmonary stress.  
Acute respiratory symptoms commonly reported by people during and after ash falls (Blong, 1984, p. 83-91): 
People with pre-existing chest complaints have developed severe bronchitic symptoms which lasted some days beyond exposure to ash (for example, hacking cough, production of sputum, wheezing, or shortness of breath) as well as airway irritation of people with asthma or bronchitis; common complaints of people with asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing 
breathing becomes uncomfortable. 
Volcanic ash may contain varying proportions of free crystalline silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2) in the form of quartz, cristobalite, or tridymite minerals. Exposure to respirable particles of free crystalline silica can lead to silicosis, a disease resulting in scarring of the lungs and impairment of their function.

 

[LNata]

Hi, Sill.

I have just came back from Russia last week. I was coming back from business trip to Siberia and have stack in Moscow for several days but only because no German airports were open. Finally had to fly to the most western Russian city (Kaliningrad) and take a bus from there to Germany. Probably the north-west part of Russia was feeling the ash problems, but Moscow and whatever is more south or east had no problems at all... well, at least not the with the ash clouds

Natalia.