What happens if you breathe volcanic ash

Secondary infections due to scratching. Indirect health effects of ashfall As well as the short and long term health risks, indirect impacts of large ashfalls must also be considered. These mainly arise from the secondary consequences of ashfall, for example: Effects on roads The reduction in visibility from airborne ash alone may cause accidents.

This danger is compounded by ash covering roads. Not only are road markings covered up, but thin layers of either wet or dry ash are very slippery, reducing traction.

Thick deposits of ash may make roads impassable, cutting off communities from basic supplies. Effects on power Ashfall can lead to power cuts. These may have implications for health due to lack of heating or other infrastructural requirements that depend on electricity. Wet ash is conductive, so it is essential that safe operating procedures are stringently followed when cleaning power supply equipment. Effects on water supplies Ashfall can cause contamination of water or clogging and damage of water supply equipment.

Small, open water supplies such as domestic water tanks with roof drainage are especially vulnerable to volcanic ashfall, and even small quantities of ash may cause problems for potability. While the risk of toxicity is low, the pH may be reduced or chlorination inhibited. During and after ashfalls, there is also likely to be extra water demand for clean-up, resulting in water shortages. Effects on sanitation waste water disposal etc. The temporary disablement of municipal sanitation systems may lead to increased disease in affected areas Risk of roof collapse 1 Roofs can collapse from the weight of ash, resulting in injury or death for those underneath.

Animal health If the ash is coated in hydrofluoric acid, the ash can be very toxic to grazing animals if they ingest ash-covered grass and soil. What to do to protect yourself against ash Limit driving Immediately after an ashfall, even a light one, driving conditions, visibility and air quality can be dramatically affected, especially by the resuspension of ash by traffic.

Rainfall has a sudden but temporary effect in improving air quality until the ash dries out again. We recommend that, following an ashfall, you refrain from driving and stay indoors if possible. If you must drive, maintain a large distance from the vehicle in front of you and drive slowly. Reduce ash in your house Keep all doors and windows closed whenever possible. If no approved mask is available, a fabric mask improvised from cloth will filter out the larger ash particles which may contribute to throat and eye irritation.

People with chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma are advised to stay inside and avoid unnecessary exposure to ash. Eye protection In fine-ash environments, wear goggles or corrective eyeglasses instead of contact lenses to protect eyes from irritation. Drinking water After light ashfall it is usually safe to drink water contaminated with ash, but it is better to filter off the ash particles before drinking.

However, ash increases the chlorine requirement in disinfected surface collected water which, therefore, can be microbiologically unsafe to drink. Ash will usually make drinking water unpalatable sour, metallic or bittertasting before it presents a health risk. The safest way to ensure your well-being is to stock up on water prior to the event. Collect enough drinking water for at least a week up to one gallon , or litres, per person per day. If you rely on collecting rainwater, cover the tank and disconnect any downpipes before ashfall occurs.

Home-grown food Ash-covered vegetables grown in fields are safe to eat after washing with clean water. Clean-up Lightly water down the ash deposits before they are removed by shovelling, being careful not to excessively wet the deposits on roofs, causing excess loading and danger of collapse.

Dry brushing can produce very high exposure levels and should be avoided. Hosing uses large quantities of water and may cause water shortages in heavily-populated areas. Precautions for children Children face the same hazards from the suspension of ash as other age groups, but their exposure may be increased because they are physically smaller and are less likely to adopt reasonable, prudent, preventive measures to avoid unnecessary exposure to ash.

While evidence suggests that ingestion of small amounts of ash is not hazardous, we recommend that you take the following precautions: Keep children indoors if possible. Children should be advised against strenuous play or running when ash is in the air, since exertion leads to heavier breathing, drawing small particles more deeply into the lungs. Communities in heavy ashfall areas may wish to organize day-care programs to free parents for cleanup tasks.

If children must be outdoors when ash is present in the air, they should wear a mask preferably one approved by IVHHN. Many masks, however, are designed to fit adults rather than children. Air conditioning should only be operated in the "recirculate" setting. Don't count on a dust mask. Ordinary dust masks, designed to filter out large particles, will not help as they still allow the more dangerous smaller particles to pass through.

Special, more expensive dust masks with true HEPA filters will filter out the damaging fine particles, but may not fit well and are difficult for people with lung disease to use. Consult with your physician before using a mask, especially if you have a lung disease. A dust mask with an N rating is most highly recommended for ash protection. Refrain from all outdoor exercise if the air quality forecast is code red Unhealthy or higher.

Medications: If you take medications, put them in a convenient place. It is important to continue taking your medicines. Medications you need for an acute episode should be readily available. If you don't have any medications, but feel that you might need them, call your physician. Make sure you have clear instructions from your physician as to what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.

Assume that your lung condition may deteriorate and contact your physician as soon as any problem develops. Do not allow a respiratory condition to linger, especially if there is a high concentration of ash particles. Ask about your oxygen use. People using oxygen should not adjust their levels of intake before consulting a physician. When creating your Travel Pack consider including: Copies of your Asthma Action Plan or COPD Action Plan An extra written prescription in case medication is lost or destroyed Insurance card and healthcare provider contact information Both quick-relief and controller medications make sure there is enough to get you through your stay plus extra in case you get held-over unexpectedly A spacer A Peak Flow Meter, if prescribed by your healthcare provider Allergy medication When to Seek Medical Attention: If pulmonary symptoms are not relieved by the usual medicines, seek medical attention.

Symptoms to watch for: Wheezing Shortness of breath Difficulty taking a full breath Chest heaviness Lightheadedness Dizziness If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your physician. Clean Up Residents and volunteers should use caution during clean-up because the process involves ashes and other particulates. Avoid dust and soot: People with lung or heart problems should avoid clean-up activities and areas where dust or soot is present.

Reduce airborne particulates: Thoroughly wet dusty and sooty area prior to clean-up. This will help to reduce the amount of particulates becoming airborne. Cover your face: Wear an appropriate dust mask during clean up. Key facts about volcanic eruptions. Updated May 18, Accessed January 15, Feldman J, Tilling RI. Volcanic eruptions, hazards, and mitigations. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Volcanic eruption. In: Ciottone GR, ed. Ciottone's Disaster Medicine.

Mass critical care. Textbook of Critical Care. United States Geological Survey website. Volcanic gases can be harmful to health, vegetation and infrastructure. Updated May 10, Harron, Jr. Editorial team.

Lung problems and volcanic smog. Volcanic smog can irritate the lungs and make existing lung problems worse.