Volcano, Smog and Forest Fires Pollution

Since we are no longer sacrificing virgins to the volcanoes, we need to look at what other problems they may cause when they are not lighting up the sky. Volcanoes can be huge such as St Helena or Pompei. But some can give off gasses that can irritate even when they are not threatening lives, when they are considered “inactive.” Vocanoes are erupting all over the world as I write this–today in Argentina so this information is needed.

As lava is extruded from deep in the earth, the trapped gasses expand and then at the surface they bubble out into the atmosphere. If you live downwind from the Kilauea Hawaiian Volcano, that can be a problem, as with any active volcano. In addition to Kilauea, Mauna Loa and Lothi are active volcanoes in Hawaii, and there are some in the United States mainland as well. The concern with volcano gasses applies to smog and any large fire as well. Volcanoes can be erupting in many parts of the world including Iceland and Argentina.
Vocano Deaths:
In a severe volcano eruption, many of the deaths are due to asphyxiation as the volcano gasses block the oxygen. Volcanic gases were directly responsible for approximately 3% of all volcano-related deaths of humans between 1900 and 1986. Some volcanic gases kill by acidic corrosion; others kill by asphyxiation. In the killer London smog, many of the deaths were reactions to the products formed by the smog chemicals. At that time the coal used daily was high in sulphur compounds.
Kilauea Volcano
Kilauea on Hawaii island is active, and attracts tourists. Studies show that these gas emissions include sulfur compounds and traces of metals such as mercury. There are oxides of sulfur: SO2, SO4. These convert to sulfate aerosols on the west side of the island. These are acidic in nature. Because the island is non-industrial, there are fewer toxic sulfur products than if these emissions were to take place in a smokestack city.
Symptoms
The effects of emissions from Kilauea include cough, phlegm, rhinorrhea, sore and dry throat, sinus congestion, wheezing, eye irritation, and bronchitis.
Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide can be harmful even when present in small amounts. Sulfur products combine with other chemicals in the air, including auto and smokestack emissions and regular chimney gasses to form new products that can be especially harmful to humans and animals. Dozens of new chemicals can form, none of which are desirable.

Effect on Nasal and Bronchial Cilia

Sulfur products act on the cilia of the nose, and inactivate them. This is why your nose feels very dry and irritated on a smoggy day. It is important to restore the nasal cilia as quickly as possible to avoid having thie develop into a chronic sinus infection.

This is why persons exposed to these gasses experience nasal and sinus problems; the sulfur and the chemicals they form act on the nasal cilia to impair them. Without normal cilia action to remove bacteria and dust, the bacteria multiply to cause sinus infection. In addition, the toxic products swell the sinus openings and block the sinus cavities, making an ideal medium for sinus bacteria to flourish.

There are other gasses that may be harmful from volcanoes, depending on which gasses they emit. The worst volcanoes are those that emit chlorine gas, one of the most toxic of the possible gasses.

When you are stuck behind a diesel bus on a smoggy day, you not only inhale CO2, but also various combinations of sulfur dioxide with combustion elements.
These problems also occur from large area forest fires.
Recommendations
For those exposed to volcano gasses, regular use of tea – green or black– with lemon and honey is essential for helping your cilia to continue to function by removing bacteria and dusts. Large amounts of these fluids help remove the toxins. The tea can be with or without caffeine. Humming – like a low pitched “oooommmm” is a vibration , not unlike the Hydro Pulse® pulsing irrigation, that vibrates the cilia to help restore good ciliary activity.
Signs of sulphur fumes toxicity include a feeling of dryness in the nose and cough. After smog or volcano exposure, a cough may be due to slowing of the chest cilia. When the cilia of the bronchial tubes no longer do their job of moving dust out of the lungs, then cough takes over. Here, you don’t necessarily want to suppress the cough, because that will keep the bacteria in your lungs. You do want to restore good cilia function by the tea, humming, steam inhalation.
Therapy for volcano exposure
A avoidance if possible
B. Filter mask. Also protect the eyes
C. Dilute the absorbed chemicals with copious amount of water. Preferably tea, green or black, with or without caffeine. Warm or hot, but not iced.
D. Irrigate to restore nasal cilia. To the 500 cc Hydro Pulse® saline solution add ½ teaspoon of Johnson’s baby shampoo to help remove volcanic ash and other products.
E. Use humming. In a low tone go “oooommmm’. This is especially useful for the chest.
F. For any sensation of dryness of the nose, spray with saline spray such as Breathe.ease XL or Simply Saline
G. If coughing persists, this means that the cilia of the chest are not doing their job. Drink fluids until your urine turns light. Do not use a cough suppressant; use a guaifenesin product. Make steam, stick out your tongue and inhale the stream. Consult your doctor about using an Albuterol inhaler.
When you perform Hydro Pulse® Nasal/Sinus irrigation, check the solution that exits your nose. This will help you determine how much volcanic ash you are inhaling.

Admittedly these measure won’t do much good in another Pompei or Krakatoa event, but hopefully the only events you will be experiencing will be that of gas escaping.

References:
Longo BM The Kilauea volcano adult health study. Nurs. Res. 2009. Jan-Feb;58 (1)

Michaud JP Volcano related atmospheric toxicants in Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Neurotoxicology 2005 Aug (4) 555-63