Mount Etna is erupting all the time. What are the major health dangers? And how can AKI be prevented?
Latest eruption on 6th April, 2024 (with gas rings): https://www.tiktok.com/@planetevent/video/7354796232537165098
Mount Etna previously erupted on December 6th 2023, following an eruption on 12th November 2023, and on 13th August 2023, and 22nd May 2023.
Mt Etna in Italy, erupting on the evening of November 12th 2023
Mount Etna is an active volcano in Sicily. The about 3,350 metre (currently) high volcano erupts several times a year – firing lava and ash high over the Mediterranean island. The most destructive eruption was in 1669, when 15-20,000 people are said to have died, though this fact is contentious.
Over a six-month period in 2021, Etna erupted so much volcanic material that its height increased by approximately 30 metres.
Health risks of volcanic eruptions
All volcanic eruptions – including the current one in Mount Etna, Sicily – are a danger to health. Why?
Volcanoes spew hot, dangerous gases, ash, lava, and rock – all are powerfully destructive. People die directly from volcanic blasts.
But also volcanic eruptions result in other threats to health; such as earthquakes, floods, mudslides, power problems, drinking water contamination, and wildfires.
Health problems after a volcanic eruption include:
- Infectious and respiratory disease
- Burns
- Injuries (e.g. from falls)
- Vehicle accidents related to the slippery, hazy conditions caused by ash.
Mt Etna eruption on 12th November 2023
Volcanic ash
Exposure to ash can be harmful. Infants, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions such as COPD (and other chronic lung diseases) may have problems if they breathe in volcanic ash. Over the long-term, ash particles containing crystalline silica can cause silicosis, a chronic respiratory disease.
Small ash particles can also abrade (scratch) the front of the eye.
Gases
Most gases from a volcano blow away quickly. However, heavy gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide can collect in low-lying areas. The most common volcanic gas is water vapour, followed by carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
Other volcanic gases include hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen fluoride.
At low levels, gases can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. At higher levels, gases can cause rapid breathing, headache, dizziness, swelling and spasm of the throat, and suffocation.
AKI prevention in volcanos
Acute kidney injury (AKI) prevention in volcanos, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, and man-made disasters, has been reviewed by Sever, 2022.
Sever points out that the most important pathogenetic mechanisms in AKI during earthquakes (that can be precipitated by volcanos) are: crush injury-related hypovolaemia, rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria.
Therefore, the most effective preventive measures are early and energetic fluid resuscitation (especially with isotonic saline) and also avoiding nephrotoxic medication.
When preventive measures fail and intrarenal AKI develops, dialysis is lifesaving, with a preference towards intermittent haemodialysis (due to medical and logistic advantages during disasters).
Summary
We have described ‘Mount Etna erupting again – major health dangers’, with a focus on AKI prevention. We hope it has been helpful.
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Last Reviewed on 7 May 2024