Section 1 -

Volcanic Emissions and Health Angus Cook and Phil Weinstein Ecology & Health, School of Population Health University of Western Australia Crawley, Western Australia 6009, AUSTRALIA

Volcanic vents and fissures provide a conduit by which magma – the molten rock, gases and water within the earth – may interact with human biological systems. The vast majority of volcanogenic fatalities in the past few centuries have resulted from as pyroclastic flows, lahars, and suffocation or building collapse from ash or debris; from tsunamis, which may spread for hundreds of miles from the active site; and from indirect consequences of eruptions, such as famine or infectious disease outbreaks. Apart from the obvious thermal and physical injuries resulting from an eruption, ejecta may also contain toxic elements and compounds which disrupt biological systems. These compounds may be released in the form of volcanic gases, or carried with volcanic matter falling from eruptive columns or plumes. Some of the material ejected may induce disease by undergoing radioactive decay. Although these toxins are often not the major causes of mortality in volcanic eruptions, they may persist and have the potential to cause long-term morbidity. From a medical perspective, geologic monitoring has a pivotal - but often under-utilised – role in helping those living in the shadows of volcanoes. Geological data generated before, during, and subsequent to eruptions is an important first step in the process of minimising illness. The ideal end-result would involve such information being passed to all relevant regional organisations and health providers, and from there to vulnerable communities. This session will explore the following themes: An introduction to volcanic toxicology The health effects of tephra dispersal and volcanic gas emissions Volcanic dispersal of metals and trace elements Monitoring and protection