Icelandic Volcano 2011

HPA Statements on the eruption of Grímsvötn

Statement on health effects of Icelandic volcanic ash plume
Release date: 02 June 2011
As the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the Institute of Earth Sciences, part of the University of Iceland, have declared that the eruption of the Grímsvötn volcano in Iceland has ended, the Health Protection Agency will not be issuing any further updates relating to it.  

The HPA has monitored the situation from the outset and even though small quantities of dust from the volcanic eruption reached ground level in some parts of the UK the concentrations of particles were so low that it was considered unlikely that there would be any significant effect on public health.

Although this eruption has been officially declared to have finished, the HPA will nonetheless keep the situation under review over the coming months.

Statement on health effects of Icelandic volcanic ash plume
Release date:  24 May 2011
The Health Protection Agency is liaising closely with partner organisations across the United Kingdom to monitor the movement of the latest Icelandic volcanic ash plume.  Most recent information suggests that the plume from the Grímsvötn volcano has reached ground level in some parts of UK but concentrations of particles are unlikely to be sufficient to cause significant health effects. However, as a precaution people who suffer from asthma should carry their inhalers as they are more likely to experience irritation of the lungs and upper respiratory tract should they be exposed to any ash.

Statement on health effects of Icelandic volcanic ash plume
Release date:  23 May 2011
The Health Protection Agency is advising that the plume of volcanic ash over the north Atlantic is not currently a risk to public health in the United Kingdom.