In case you’re not European or simply avoid the news, a volcano by the name of Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland erupted on the 21st of March, for the first time since 1821, and again erupted on April 14th. The resultant cloud of volcanic ash brought major disruption to air travel across Europe.
As the saying goes: What goes up must come down. Now first evidence of the ash falling down to street level is starting to accumulate, starting from the UK, and also in Iceland and Norway.
Turns out all that ash isn’t very healthy for you. For example, after some of it fell across the Shetland Islands, people reported soar throats after venturing outside.
The ash cloud migrating from the Volcano into Northern Europe. Photo by NASA.
Spokesman for the WHO (World Health Organization), Daniel Epstein, said the microscopic ash is “potentially dangerous for people when it starts to reach the Earth because inhaled particles can enter the lungs and cause respiratory problems”. The WHO’s official recommendation 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." They also advice to take normal precautions, i.e. avoidance of strenuous exercise by people with asthma and respiratory symptoms in days with high air pollution.
Other experts don’t share the concern and say the WHO’s warnings were “hysterical”, claiming the volcanic ash is much less dangerous than cigarette smoking or pollution. In a Yahoo! News article, Ken Donaldson, a professor of respiratory toxicology at the University of Edinburgh says that most Europeans’ exposure to volcanic ash would be negligible and that only those in the near vicinity of the Icelanding volcano would likely be at risk. He said after previous volcanic eruptions, little impact has been seen in people’s health, except for those with lung problems who were close to the volcano.
Other experts say the irritants in volcanic ash are likely to be very diluted by the winds by the time they hit continental Europe, and that any rainfall would also lessen their effects.
In short, unless you have a lung problem, you shouldn’t be concerned or stay inside, at least according to most experts.
What’s your take? Has the ash fallen in your area? Did you feel anything? Let us know in the comments.
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