Interaction of Mount St. Helens' volcanic ash with cells of the respiratory epithelium

Adler, Kenneth B.; Mossman, Brooke T.; Butler, Gregory B.; Jean, L.; Craighead, John E.

doi:10.1016/0013-9351(84)90142-7

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Four studies found the ash to be nontoxic (Adler et al 1984;Bonner et al 1998;Dodson et al 1982;Martin et al 1984a) in not stimulating macrophages or causing an inflammatory response. Vallyathan et al (1984) published the only comparative in vitro study of ash from three different volcanoes: Mt.…”

Section: Toxicological Studiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation

2006

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Studies of the respiratory health effects of different types of volcanic ash have been undertaken only in the last 40 years, and mostly since the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. This review of all published clinical, epidemiological and toxicological studies, and other work known to the authors up to and including 2005, highlights the sparseness of studies on acute health effects after eruptions and the complexity of evaluating the long-term health risk (silicosis, non-specific pneumoconiosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in populations from prolonged exposure to ash due to persistent eruptive activity. The acute and chronic health effects of volcanic ash depend upon particle size (particularly the proportion of respirable-sized material), mineralogical composition (including the crystalline silica content) and the physicochemical properties of the surfaces of the ash particles, all of which vary between volcanoes and even eruptions of the same volcano, but adequate information on these key characteristics is not reported for most eruptions. The incidence of acute respiratory symptoms (e.g. asthma, bronchitis) varies greatly after ashfalls, from very few, if any, reported cases to population outbreaks of asthma. The studies are inadequate for excluding increases in acute respiratory mortality after eruptions. Individuals with preexisting lung disease, including asthma, can be at increased risk of their symptoms being exacerbated after falls of fine ash. A comprehensive risk assessment, including toxicological studies, to determine the long-term risk of silicosis from chronic exposure to volcanic ash, has been undertaken only in the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens (1980), USA, and Soufrière Hills, Montserrat (1995 onwards). In the Soufrière Hills eruption, a long-term silicosis hazard has been identified and sufficient exposure and toxicological information obtained to make a probabilistic risk assessment for the development of silicosis in outdoor workers and the general population. A more systematic approach to multi-disciplinary studies in future eruptions is recommended, including establishing an archive of ash samples and a website containing health advice for the public, together with scientific and medical study guidelines for volcanologists and health-care workers.

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Section: Toxicological Studiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation

2006

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“…COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] through metaplasia (i.e. abnormal transformation of columnar cells into squamous cells; squamous metaplasia) of the airway epithelia [21,22,23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The alveolar macrophages, which are involved in cleaning-up of the lung, perform phagocytosis and 'ingest' the ash particles. However, cristobalite is highly cytotoxic for the macrophages [21] and leads to the release of ROS causing hydroxyl (·OH) and oxygen (·O 2 -) radicals to form. These radicals can damage DNA in the cells of the lung and cause mutations [22] The M a n u s c r i p t…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The bioreactivity of the sub-10μm component of volcanic ash: Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat

Jones¹,

Bérubé²

2011

Journal of Hazardous Materials

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With the recent eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyafallajökull and resulting ash cloud over much of Europe there was considerable concern about possible respiratory hazards. Volcanic ash can contain minerals that are known human respiratory health hazards such as cristobalite. Short-term ash exposures can cause skin sores, respiratory and ocular irritations and exacerbation of pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma. Long-term occupational level exposures to crystalline silicon dioxide can cause lung inflammation, oedema, fibrosis and cancer. The potential health effects would be dependent on factors including mineralogy, surface chemistry, size, and levels and duration of exposure. Bulk ash from the Soufrière Hills volcano was sourced and inhalable (<2.5 μm) ash samples prepared and physicochemically characterised. The fine ash samples were tested for bioreactivity by SDS-PAGE which determined the strength of binding between mineral grains and lung proteins. Selected proteins bound tightly to cristobalite, and bound loosely to other ash components. A positive correlation was seen between the amount of SiO(2) in the sample and the strength of the binding. The strength of binding is a function of the mineral's bioreactivity, and therefore, a potential geo-biomarker of respiratory risk.

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Long‐term Adverse Health Consequences from Exposure to Products Generated from Major Disaster Sites

Mauer

2009

General, Applied and Systems Toxicology

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Major disasters have been a constant reality since ancient times, repeatedly causing disruption, illness and death. This review presents epidemiological evidence regarding long‐term health effects from a selection of major disasters, which represent some of the more thoroughly studied events in history. The World Trade Center disaster, Bhopal and Seveso chemical releases, Chernobyl nuclear accident and Mount St. Helens and Soufriere Hills volcanic eruptions are discussed in some detail. While this review provides an overview of potential long‐term health outcomes from several types of disasters, it also illustrates the gaps in knowledge that exist for some of these events. There exists a relative lack of research on long‐term health effects for many types of disasters. By illuminating these issues, this review may help to emphasize the importance of focussing efforts and available resources on the study of long‐term health effects related to future disasters.

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Interaction of Mount St. Helens' volcanic ash with cells of the respiratory epithelium

Cited by 6 publications

References 21 publications

The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation

The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation

The bioreactivity of the sub-10μm component of volcanic ash: Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat

Long‐term Adverse Health Consequences from Exposure to Products Generated from Major Disaster Sites

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