Volcanic ash can travel hundreds to thousands of miles downwind
from a volcano. Fresh volcanic ash is gritty, abrasive, sometimes
corrosive, and always unpleasant. Although ash is not highly toxic,
it can trouble infants, the elderly, and those with respiratory
ailments. Ash can also get in your eyes and scratch them, especially
when it's windy. Ash can be hazardous to grazing livestock and can
damage or force the shutdown of drinking water and wastewater treatment
facilities. The volcanic gases that pose the greatest potential
hazards are sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen fluoride.
Locally, sulfur dioxide gas can lead to acid rain and air pollution
downwind from a volcano.
This site provides information about preparing for and recovering
from volcanic eruptions and ashfall, and about EPA's response to
the Mount St. Helens activity (to the right).
General preparation and recovery
Health issues
Environmental impacts
Related links
General preparation and recovery
Links in this section exit EPA
- US Geologic Survey
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- American Red Cross
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Health issues
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Environmental effects
- Waste
water - preparation and response for water treatment facilities
- Related Information From Other Agencies :
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Related links
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EPA Response
In its mission to protect human health and the environment,
EPA may be involved in the monitoring of environmental conditions,
assessing potential health impacts or responding to hazardous
materials emergencies that may arise as a result of an eruption.
Human Health Impacts - EPA has considerable
expertise on the potential health impacts
from ash or chemicals released from volcanoes.
Toxicologists and other specialists may
be called upon to evaluate the environmental
conditions and their effects on populations
surrounding the mountain.
Emergency Response - EPA may be called upon to provide
support to initial responders to an eruption event. A Unified
Command has been established for the recent activity at Mt.
St. Helens consisting of the U.S. Forest Service (lead agency),
U.S. Geological Survey and state and local authorities. EPA
has joined the Unified Command in an advisory and support
role. EPA may provide support with GIS mapping and analysis,
air monitoring and modeling, water monitoring, or other services
to aid in the overall response.
Real Time Air Monitors
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