News

Report on health assessment of Icelandic ash released

(30 September 2010)

A new study led by Claire Horwell has concluded that the ash from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull earlier this year does not have the potential to cause long-term respiratory health problems for Icelanders.

It was discovered that ash from volcano summit eruptions in April and May this year had a low-moderate potential to exacerbate pre-existing respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic bronchitis during the period of ash fall.  The potential for the development of long-term lung problems from the exposure to the ash during the eruption or afterwards from resuspension of the ash deposits was low.

Release: http://www.ivhhn.org/news.html

Report: http://www.ivhhn.org/images/pdf/iceland_ash_health_report.pdf

Icelandic media coverage:

Morgunbladid

http://mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2010/09/29/takmorkud_haetta_af_oskunni/

Dagbladid

http://www.dv.is/frettir/2010/9/28/askan-hefur-ekki-langvarandi-heilsufarsleg-ahrif/

Frettabladid

http://www.visir.is/article/2010545537282