New way to detect ash size health danger

Durham, England -- A Durham University expert in England has devised a rapid and cheap way of estimating the potential risk posed to human health by volcanic ash.

Dr. Claire Horwell developed a new sieving technique that analyzes the grain size of volcanic ash to determine its possible threat.

Volcanic ash is thought to trigger attacks of acute respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, but also has the potential to cause chronic diseases such as the lung disease silicosis, Horwell said.

In many countries -- an estimated 70 volcanic eruptions occur worldwide each year -- health providers cannot determine if particles were fine enough to enter the lung.

Horwell used state-of-the-art laser technology to analyze the grain size of samples from around the world and developed a formula so the amount of breathable particles could be estimated by sieving.

The findings, published in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring, said the new sieving technique could allow emergency response teams to measure quickly and cheaply the potential risk to health without the need for high-tech equipment, and decide whether to issue dust masks or evacuate people from the surrounding area.

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