UK issues health warning as corrosive gas covers skies

On Sunday, August 25, residents across the United Kingdom were asked to stay indoors as a health alert was issued for clouds of corrosive and acidic gases seen over the country. The clouds were visible on weather maps at 4am local time and were confirmed to contain high levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2), released by the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Sulfur dioxide is a gas that is usually produced during the burning of crude oil or coal, and is also emitted in large quantities during volcanic eruptions. Exposure to sulfur dioxide can cause a range of health problems, including sore throat, cough, runny nose, burning eyes, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure can aggravate diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.

Historically, sulfur dioxide from coal combustion was responsible for the infamous London smog of 1952, which caused thousands of deaths from respiratory illnesses. When sulfur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere, it forms acid rain, further causing environmental damage.

Authorities specifically recommend that children and the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to sulfur dioxide, stay indoors to minimize the risk of inhalation.

On August 22, a volcano near Grindavik on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted, sending toxic smoke as far as London. The eruption was foreseeable due to ongoing seismic activity in the area and pressure changes detected in drill holes.

Emergency rescue in response to volcanic eruption team Thousands of residents were evacuated from Reykjanes and Ólfurs, Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon. Local authorities advised residents to keep a safe distance from the affected areas.

An international team of scientists has been studying lava samples and seismic data collected during the past three years of volcanic activity. Their findings suggest that the Reykjanes Peninsula is part of an interconnected system of magma plumbing that is able to sustain volcanic activity for long periods of time.

“Comparing these eruptions with historical events is a strong argument that Iceland must prepare for this eruption, as it could last for years or even decades,” said Valentin Troll, professor of petrology at Uppsala University in Iceland and lead author of the study.