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,
Stephen M. Apatow
Founder, Director of Research & Development
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies
Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine & Law
Phone: 203-668-0282
Email: s.m.apatow@humanitarian.net
Internet: www.humanitarian.net
Pathobiologics International
Internet: www.pathobiologics.org
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