AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO ASSESSING AND COMMUNICATING HEALTH HAZARDS OF VOLCANIC ASH FALL

The health effects of volcanic ash fall during eruptive activity and after (re-suspension) has long been a major concern of the public. Airborne volcanic ash contains jagged particles of volcanic glass, rock, and mineral fragments that are known to cause acute respiratory health affects depending on particle size, chemical composition, exposure time and amount, and underlying health conditions of those exposed. Leaching of toxic chemicals from ash particles into water supplies also poses a potential threat to the environment and health. During recent eruptions in Alaska, numerous inquiries from concerned members of the public regarding air quality and water supply impacts prompted the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) to assess its ability to work with partner agencies to inform the public about hazards associated with volcanic ash fall during eruptions. An interagency ash fall and air quality working group was established to address human health and environmental issues with the goal of improving communications, and the overall public hazard message during future eruptions. Establishment of communication protocols and interagency review of message content has significantly improved public hazard communication across agencies. Collaboration with federal, state, and local air quality programs has enabled agencies to provide more timely warnings of potential ash fall and reporting of air quality conditions during eruptive events. Interagency coordination has also facilitated strategic deployments of portable monitoring equipment, which allowed for assessment of human health hazards in locations where continuous monitoring was not available. Information on particle size, leachable constituents, and geochemistry using standardized analytical techniques and reporting protocols is providing data that can be used to assess the health hazards associated with volcanic ash fall. AVO is developing the ability to locally perform an established field leach test and work with local health agencies to aid with interpretation and release of health hazard data to the public.