Mount
St. Helens and Potential
Health Effects
For the first time in over a decade there was a small
explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens on 1 October
2004. The eruption sent a steam and
minor ash plume approximately 10,000 feet above sea level.
Mount
St Helens Volcanocam-Washington USA
Mount St Helens
Current Volcanic Activity
Special
Conditions and Recreation Information
Mount
St Helens Recent Earthquake Activity
Potential Effects of
Volcanic Gases
Typically the most abundant type of gas released into the
atmosphere from volcanic systems is water vapor (H20), followed by carbon dioxide (C02) and sulfur dioxide (S02).
Other gases released, however in smaller amounts, include hydrogen
sulfide (H2S), hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen
chloride (HCL), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and helium (He).
Carbon dioxide (C02)
– Does not usually pose a threat because it becomes diluted to low
concentrations very quickly. However in
certain circumstances C02 may
become concentrated enough to become lethal.
C02 is a heavier than
air and therefore can flow into low lying areas. If C02 levels
exceed 30% it can quickly lead to unconsciousness or death. During volcanic activity stay away from
depressions or low lying areas that might trap C02 .
- 5% CO2
causes perceptible increased respiration
- 6-10% causes shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness,
sweating, and restlessness
-10-15% causes
impaired coordination and abrupt muscle contractions
- 20-30% causes loss of consciousness and convulsions
-over 30% can cause death
Sulfur Dioxide (S02)
- Is a colorless gas and is frequently described as smelling of rotten
eggs. S02 predominately
affects the upper respiratory tract and bronchi as well as irritates the skin
and the tissues and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat. The World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends that maximum exposure be no greater than 0.5 ppm over a 24 hour
period. At a concentration level of 6-12
ppm S02 will cause immediate irritation
of the nose and throat. At a
concentration level of 20 ppm eye irritation may occur and at 10,000 ppm moist
skin will be irritated within minutes.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- In low concentrations can irritate eyes and act as a depressant. High concentrations can cause irritation of
the upper respiratory tract. Long
exposures at high concentration levels can cause pulmonary edema.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Usually not abundant enough to cause
serious problems.
Hydrogen Chloride (HCL) – Can damage mucous membranes and
respiratory system
Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) – Causes conjunctivitis, skin
irritation, bone degeneration and mottling of teeth. Livestock who eat grass that has been coated
with fluorine tainted ash are poisoned.
Large amounts of fluorine causes fluorisis and eventually kills the
animals by destroying their bones.
Environmental Hazard
of Volcanic Ash
The hidden hazards that one is exposed to in these
volcanic eruptions have long-term health effects, says Steve Sparks of Bristol University. The greatest risk comes from
volcanic ash containing significant amounts of cristobalite and other particles
less than three microns in diameter. Inhaling these particles allows for
deposition deep in the lung. Large amounts of cristobalite can cause silicosis, a
permanent scarring disease of the lung. View Article
Volcanic ash is a good example of an environmental hazard
with unknown potential to cause pneumoconiosis in
human populations. However, the results
of a 5-year longitudinal follow-up of loggers exposed to volcanic ash from
Mount St. Helens suggest that risks of chronic bronchitis or pneumoconiosis are
probably negligible in humans under the usual conditions of such occupational
exposure, i.e., initially high and decreasing over time. View Article
What To Do If A Volcano Erupts
n
Washington State Military Department,
Emergency Management Division, and the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1999
What to do in case of an ash fall
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
- Know in advance what to
expect and how to deal with it; that will make it manageable.
- In ashy areas, use dust masks
and eye protection. If you don't have a dust mask, use a wet handkerchief.
- As much as possible, keep ash
out of buildings, machinery, air and water supplies, downspouts, storm
drains, etc.
- Stay indoors to minimize
exposure -- especially if you have respiratory ailments.
- Minimize travel -- driving in
ash is hazardous to you and your car.
- Don't tie up phone line with
non-emergency calls.
- Use your radio for information
on the ash fall.
What to do before an ash fall
Whether in a car, at home, at work or play, you should
always be prepared. Intermittent ash fall and resuspension of ash on the ground
may continue for years.
YOUR HOME
Keep these items in your home in case of any natural hazards emergency:
- Extra dust masks.
- Enough non-perishable food
for at least three days.
- Enough drinking water for at
least three days (one gallon per person per day).
- Plastic wrap (to keep ash out
of electronics).
- First aid kit and regular
medications.
- Battery-operated radio with
extra batteries.
- Lanterns or flashlights with
extra batteries.
- Extra wood, if you have a
fireplace or wood stove.
- Extra blankets and warm
clothing.
- Cleaning supplies (broom,
vacuum, shovels, etc.).
- Small amount of extra cash
(ATM machines may not be working).
YOUR CHILDREN
- Explain what a volcano is and
what they should expect and do if ash falls.
- Know your school's emergency
plan.
- Have quiet games and
activities available.
YOUR PETS
- Store extra food and drinking
water.
- Keep extra medicine on hand.
- Keep your animals under
cover, if possible.
YOUR CAR
Any vehicle can be considered a movable, second home. Always carry a few items
in your vehicle in case of delays, emergencies, or mechanical failures.
- Dust masks and eye
protection.
- Blankets and extra clothing.
- Emergency food and drinking
water.
- General emergency supplies:
first aid kit, flashlight, fire extinguisher, took lit, flares, matches,
survival manual, etc.
- Waterproof tarp, heavy tow
rope.
- Extra air and oil filters,
extra oil, windshield wiper blades and windshield washer fluid.
- Cell phone with extra
battery.
What to do during and after an ash
fall
YOUR HOME
- Close doors, windows and
dampers. Place damp towels at door thresholds and other draft sources;
tape drafty windows.
- Dampen ash in yard and
streets to reduce resuspension.
- Put stoppers in the tops of
your drainpipes (at the gutters).
- Protect dust sensitive
electronics.
- Since most roofs cannot
support more than four inches of wet ash, keep roofs free of thick
accumulation. Once ash fall stops, sweep or shovel ash from roofs and
gutters. Wear your dust mask and use caution on ladders and roofs.
- Remove outdoor clothing
before entering a building. Brush, shake and pre-soak ashy clothing before
washing.
- If there is ash in your
water, let it settle and then use the clear water. In rare cases where
there is a lot of ash in the water supply, do not use your dishwasher or
washing machine.
- You may eat vegetables from
the garden, but wash them first.
- Dust often using vacuum
attachments rather than dust cloths, which may become abrasive.
- Use battery operated radio to
receive information.
YOUR CHILDREN
- Follow school's directions
for care of children at school.
- Keep children indoors;
discourage active play in dusty settings. Dust masks do not fit well on
small children.
YOUR PETS
- Keep pets indoors. If pets go
out, brush or vacuum them before letting them indoors.
- Make sure livestock have
clean food and water.
- Discourage active play in
dusty settings.
YOUR CAR
- If possible, do not drive;
ash is harmful to vehicles.
- If you must drive, drive
slowly, use headlights, and use ample windshield washer fluid.
- Change oil, oil filters, and
air filters frequently (every 50 to 100 miles in heavy dust, i.e., less
than 50 feet visibility; every 500 to 1,000 miles in light dust).
- Do not drive without an air
filter. If you cannot change the air filter, clean it by blowing air
through from the inside out.
- If car stalls or brakes
fail, push car to the side of the road to avoid collisions. Stay with your
car.
What to do during the clean up
period
- Minimize driving and other
activities that resuspend ash.
- Remove as much ash as you
can from frequently used areas. Clean from the top down. Wear a dust mask.
- Prior to sweeping, dampen
ash to ease removal. Be careful to not wash ash into drainpipes, sewers,
storm drains, etc.
- Use water sparingly.
Widespread use of water for clean-up may deplete public water supply.
- Maintain protection for dust-sensitive
items (e.g., computers, machinery) until the environment is really
ash-free.
- Seek advice from public
officials regarding disposal of volcanic ash in your community.
- Wet ash can be slippery. Use
caution when climbing on ladders and roofs.
- Establish childcare to
assist parents involved in cleanup.
View
Link
For More Information Please Contact:
US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
(CHPPM-West) Box
339500, MS 115, Fort
Lewis, Washington
98433-9500
POC: LTC Leon
Robert
COM 253-966-0008 / DSN 347-0008