Bulusan Volcano eruption (Photo courtesy of Arvie Gernandizo)
MANILA – Inhalation of volcanic ash may cause pneumoconiosis, or a collection of lung diseases caused by breathing in certain types of dust particles, an infectious diseases expert said Monday.
In a televised public briefing, Department of Health Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Salvaña noted that silica particles found in volcanic ash can damage the lungs.
“Pwede magkaroon ng scarring, pwede magkaroon ng obstruction of lung tissues, so very, very important na (There could be scarring, obstruction of lung tissues, so, very, very important that) we try to protect ourselves from these,” he said, following the phreatic eruption of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province on Sunday.
Salvaña said “good quality face masks” such as N95 and KN95 provide protection against pyroclastic materials and small particles.
He also reminded the individuals in evacuation centers to observe minimum public health standards to avoid possible outbreak of Covid-19 and other diseases.
“Of course, the usual happening in evacuation centers, ‘yung mga close quarters ng mga tao (the close quarters of people), you can have outbreaks of diarrhea, outbreaks of viral illnesses,” he said. (PNA)
