#2 How Do Health Impacts FURTHER Affect Society?

This post will focus on the health impacts derived from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull Eruption, along with discussions on social relevance involving work effectiveness, food security and children's mental health.

Video: Podcast of Dr S.Loughlin talking to Dr B.Baptie on Eyjafjallajökull Eruption

Ash hazards and plumes are the key observations mentioned in the video. The experience of volcanic eruption and the impacts of particles could influence the population in various ways. Three overlapping aspects will be assessed:

Direct

Respiratory system problems could be one of the direct health impacts of the eruption, potentially affecting work effectiveness. A study conducted over a period of 6-9 months showed the short-term impacts. It found that besides sole symptoms such as coughing, more than 10% of participants had at least two symptoms in more exposed areas shown in the Venn diagram. The immediate effects should draw health authorities' attention to mitigations and prevention of associated social impacts.

Venn Diagram: Exposed and non-exposed participants reporting one or more key symptom 6–9 months after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption

A followed-up study collected data in both 2010 and 2013. It found that people exposed to the eruption still experience the aforementioned symptoms, but also new ones such as morning phlegm during winter. This highlights the long-lived adverse influence of volcanic particles, calling for increasingly more health monitoring and mitigation methods to lower the continued risks. This could further influence society in terms of health burdens and work productivity.

Indirect

Food and feed safety could be affected by volcanic ash in the short term. Fluoride, a composition of ash fall, could pose potential risks via dietary exposure and contamination of drinking water. Specifically, livestock such as cattle and sheep could intake ash-deposited water and grass. Then humans consumed them via milk and meat. Areas in immediate proximity were of greater concern. Excess uptake of fluoride would reduce bone and teeth strength. The potential risk to food security raises attention from entire communities such as authorities to monitor the fluoride level and impose relevant mitigation methods. As well as the population such as farmers to keep their livestock indoors.

Image: Volcanic emission components, exposure pathways, and categories of human health effects

Psychological

Psychological health impacts are also highlighted in studies. Generally, people exposed to the region experienced higher anxiety/worries than those who did not in 2010. This section will primarily focus on children's mental impacts. Two interesting points could be pointed out:

• Gender difference in symptoms: Boys had more specific symptoms of sleep disturbances and headaches than girls. This may suggest the involvement of different methodologies depending on children’s gender for mental health mitigation, where boys may require more attention.

• Disaster experiences affect symptoms: Children with homes damaged had more depressed moods than those who did not. This could indicate how the negative experience alters one's personality to be more sensitive and anxious and the importance of psychological support implementation.

Looking at the questionnaire gathered in 2013, the need for proper surveillance and psychological support was still required for children. The symptoms and worries about potential bigger events, the eruption of Katla, continue affecting their mental health and development.

By looking at Eyjafjallajökull, we saw how health impacts further affect society. The next post will discuss global stakeholders' involvement.