Breathing volcanic ash can have a big impact on respiratory health. There are people all across Europe who are suffering from the devastating impact of the eruption of the volcano underneath the glacier, Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland. Health effects are worse for those who already have a respiratory condition such as asthma, children and the elderly but can be harmful for many.

There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from ash in air as well as other harmful particulates.

• Wear a mask when outdoors such as the Respro Techno or Respro Aero masks or the 3M HEPA Mask. If you are going to be around these pollutants for a long time make sure to order extra filters so you have them on hand when you need them.
• Use an air purifier in your bedroom and main living space. You can get very good filtration from Austin or Blueair air purifiers and exceptional air purification for those with additional health risks or immune issues with the IQAir or AllerAir air purifiers. Make sure you know the square footage of your space when choosing the right model.
• Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner to assure that your indoor environment stays as clean as possible. The Miele Callisto is excellent for improving indoor air quality.
• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses and to reduce risk of eye irritation.
• Cover sensitive equipment such as computers and other equipment with plastic bags.
• Keep children and pets indoors as much as possible.

If you are not currently in an area that has volcanic ash, keep these tips in mind because right now there are at least 1,500 active volcanoes around the world and at least 100 in the US that could be active!

For more information on volcanoes:

Scholastic.com article
Wikipedia article on Eyjafjallajokull