18 April 2010
Humanitarian
Resource Institute
Phone: (203) 668-0282
Url: www.humanitarian.net
International Disaster Information Network
Url: www.humanitarian.net/idin
Pathobiologics International
Url: www.pathobiologics.org
IVPHC: Volcanic Ash - Agricultural Impact - Fluorine
Poisoning
Dear Colleagues:
Reports of volcanic ash falling on regions though out Europe [1] presents
both a human and veterinary public health concern. Environmental/toxicological
analysis [2] is critical since impact goes far beyond disruptions in air travel.
Ash fall can
have serious detrimental effects on agricultural crops
and livestock depending mainly on ash thickness, the
type and growing condition of a crop, the presence of soluble
fluoride on the ash, timing and intensity of subsequent rainfall,
condition of pasture and animals prior to ash fall,
and availability of uncontaminated feed and water.
Fluorine poisoning and death can occur
in livestock that graze on ash-covered grass if fluoride
is present in high concentrations; it may be advisable
to sample and analyze ash or ash-coated vegetation to determine
whether this potential hazard exists for livestock in areas
covered with ash, even as thin as 1 mm. Livestock
eating pasture that is contaminated with ash can suffer
and die from gastrointenstinal blockages. Shortages
of uncontaminated feed and water after an ash fall can
also lead to starvation. -- USGS: Volcanic Ash: Effects and
Mitigation Strategies. [3]
Intensification of the eruption [4] continues due to the H2O feed of melting
ice, focusing attention on Volcanic Gases, Effects, Geographic Spread. [5]
The last time Eyjafjallajokull erupted in 1821 magma
continued to flow for two years. The Focus is now on Katla, that is 5 times
the size of Eyjafjallajokull (that followed the last last eruption of Eyjafjallajokull). [6]
References:
1. Volcano: No BA flights until Monday at the earliest as airports remain
shut and ash falls across the UK: UK Mail Online. Url: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266760/Volcanic-ash-cloud-100-000-Britons-stranded-Europe-air-traffic-chiefs-extend
-lockdown-7am.html?printingPage=true
2. The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic
risk mitigation: Claire J. Horwell, Peter J. Baxter, 30 November 2005.
Url: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman/papers2/HorwellBaxterBV.pdf
3. USGS: Volcanic Ash: Effects and Mitigation Strategies. Url: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/agric/index.html
4. Q&A: Volcanic ash cloud. Intensification. BBC.
Url: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8627253.stm
5. Volcanic Gases and Effects: USGS Volcano hazards Program. Url:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards/gas/index.php
6. Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano rears back into life with new
eruption, Times Online, 14 April 2010. Url:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7097495.ece
Looking forward to feedback,
S.M.Apatow
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