American Lung Association Warns of Dangerous Health Effects from Poor Air Quality Surrounding Mt Spurr’s Expected Eruption

Emissions from Mount Spurr’s predicted eruption may threaten the health of Alaska residents. Volcanic ash, a type of particulate matter air pollution, and vog, which includes particles and dangerous gases, can spread into the air for miles downwind of an eruption. The American Lung Association in Alaska warns that exposure to volcanic ash and vog can trigger asthma attacks and cause wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, as well as increase the risk of premature death.

"The potential impact from an eruption of Mount Spurr could make a significant impact on lung health," said Jessica Frey, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Alaska. "Residents living with respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) throughout the region should take extra precautions following any eruption and call their healthcare provider immediately if problems develop. Parents should give particular care to reduce exposure to the children as their lungs are still developing, which places them at increased risk of harm."

There are several actions and precautions that residents can take to protect their lungs:

• Stay indoors and protect the air in your home. Until the dust settles, keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting. Place damp towels at door thresholds and tape drafty windows.
• Prepare to evacuate if directed. Those with chronic lung disease are encouraged to gather all of their medications, delivery devices, prescriptions and insurance cards in one spot so they can quickly be transported in the event of an evacuation.
• Seek medical attention if experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty taking a full breath, chest heaviness or tightness, coughing that interrupts sleep or unusual fatigue.
• Close car windows and vents when driving through affected areas. Air conditioning should be set to recirculate to avoid exposure to outside air.
• Monitor vog in your area, which can spread far away from the initial volcanic eruption. Vog contains particles and dangerous gases, including highly irritating sulfur dioxide. Monitor the wind direction to find out if vog will be blown in your area that day. You can find out the wind direction by watching the television weather report, listening to a weather radio or by checking the weather section of your local newspaper.
• Don’t count on a dust mask. Ordinary dust masks, designed to filter out large particles, will not help as they still allow the more dangerous smaller particles to pass through and they do not protect against gaseous vog emissions. Masks with a HEPA filter or an N-95 will filter out the damaging fine particles in volcanic ash but getting them to fit can be difficult.
• Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect your lungs during eruptions.

More information on how lung health is affected by volcanic ash and vog is available at Lung.org/volcano. Call the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA to speak with respiratory therapists and registered nurses regarding questions about lung health.