Air Pollution by Hydrothermal Volcanism and Human Pulmonary Function

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether chronic exposure to volcanogenic air pollution by hydrothermal soil diffuse degassing is associated with respiratory defects in humans. This study was carried in the archipelago of the Azores, an area with active volcanism located in the Atlantic Ocean where Eurasian, African, and American lithospheric plates meet. A cross-sectional study was performed on a study group of 146 individuals inhabiting an area where volcanic activity is marked by active fumarolic fields and soil degassing (hydrothermal area) and a reference group of 359 individuals inhabiting an area without these secondary manifestations of volcanism (nonhydrothermal area). Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted for age, gender, fatigue, asthma, and smoking. The OR for restrictive defects and for exacerbation of obstructive defects (COPD) in the hydrothermal area was 4.4 (95% CI 1.78–10.69) and 3.2 (95% CI 1.82–5.58), respectively. Increased prevalence of restrictions and all COPD severity ranks (mild, moderate, and severe) was observed in the population from the hydrothermal area. These findings may assist health officials in advising and keeping up with these populations to prevent and minimize the risk of respiratory diseases.

Volcanic air pollution over the Island of Hawai'i: Emissions, dispersal, and composition. Association with respiratory symptoms and lung function in Hawai'i Island school children

“…Our findings have health implications for the estimated 10% of the world population near active or historically active gas-emitting volcanoes (26, 30). The findings also provide insight into the specific effects of SO 2 and acid particulates in more familiar and complex anthropogenic air pollution.…”

“…We emphasize that Kilauea’s major emission is SO 2 gas, similar to Miyakejima Island, Japan (14, 31), but different from the volcanic ash released during the eruptions of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Etna, or Eyjafjallajokull (32–36), the mixture of CO2 and radon released in fumarolic fields in the Azores (26, 37, 38)or H2S released from geothermal vents in Rotorua, New Zealand (39–41). Kilauea’s estimated SO 2 output was 0.5–1 million metric tons (0.5–1 Tg) per year during this cross-sectional study, and increased further beginning in 2008 (Figure 2).…”

“…That we did not observe this association with highly acid, but relatively “pure” volcanic air pollution may implicate co-contaminants in the anthropogenic air pollution, rather than the sulfate itself, in the development of bronchitis.. In studies of volcanic air pollution, “bronchitis” was not directly assessed among children on Miyakejima Island (14), but prevalence of bronchitis or bronchitis-like symptoms was increased in high exposure areas or episodes in several studies of adults exposed to volcanic air pollution with predominant CO 2 and radon (26, 38) or SO 2 and SO 4 (11, 31, 52). …”

“…Participants completed 6–8 maneuvers at each testing, using EasyOne Diagnostic Spirometers(ndd Medical Technologies, Zurich, Switzerland, www.nddmed.com) (25, 26), coached by community researchers trained and certified by the USC Children’s Health Study team. Spirometers provided immediate assessment of adequacy and reproducibility of expiratory efforts and comparison to predicted values for children (Dockery).…”

Pengukuran Paparan Particulate Matter Satu (Pm1) Dan CO2 serta Keluhan Kesehatan pada Masyarakat Pasca Erupsi Gunung Sinabung

“…Penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Tam menghasilkan nilai konsentrasi PM2.5 dan partikel asam yang berbeda-beda pada empat daerah pengukuran abu yang berbeda selama erupsi gunung Kilauea dan secara epidemiologi pajanan kronik dari partikel asam signifikan berhubugan dengan peningkatan batuk dan memungkinkan menurunkan fungsi paru pada anak usia sekolah di pulau Hawai, tetapi tidak signifikan pada penyakit asma atau bronchitis (19). Studi yang dilakukan di kepulauan Azores, daerah dengan gunung api aktif yang terletak di Samudera Atlantik menemukan bahwa terdapat hubungan polusi udara vulkanik dengan penyakit pernapasan, cacat retristik, dan defek obstruktif (COPD) pada manusia yang tinggal di daerah gunung aktif (20).…”