Health effects of volcano ash cloud

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising that the plume of volcanic ash over the north Atlantic is not currently a risk to public health in Northern Ireland.

The previous eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull Icelandic volcano in April 2010 had no impact on public health in the UK and a study of respiratory and related symptoms reported to GPs in the UK in 2010 showed no unusual increases during the period in which the volcanic dust from Iceland was present in the atmosphere.

In view of the present dynamic weather conditions across the UK the PHA is liaising closely with health protection colleagues in England, Scotland, Wales and the Met Office in relation to the latest available scientific information on the volcanic ash.

For more information visit www.hpa.org.uk