This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-13505543

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lung patients warned about new ash cloud from Iceland Lung patients reassured over ash cloud from Iceland
(about 21 hours later)
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News
Medical experts are advising people with lung conditions, such as asthma, to be prepared for the ash cloud that is expected to reach the UK on Tuesday. Experts are reassuring people with lung conditions like asthma that the ash cloud travelling to the UK from Iceland should pose no real health treat.
The British Lung Foundation is advising those who might be susceptible to carry their medication as a precaution. The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, which is monitoring the situation, expects very little ash to fall on Britain.
If the cloud from the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland hits the UK, air quality could be significantly reduced, causing breathing problems for some people. Air quality should remain good and not trigger breathing problems.
But experts predict it will not be as disruptive as last year's eruption. But medics are advising those who might be susceptible to carry their medication as a precaution.
The Gromsvotn volcano began erupting on Saturday.
But scientists believe it will not be as disruptive as last year's eruption in Iceland of a different volcano.
The Eyjafjallajokull volcano's unusual ash size distribution, combined with unusual weather patterns, made life difficult across Europe during the late spring and early summer of 2010.The Eyjafjallajokull volcano's unusual ash size distribution, combined with unusual weather patterns, made life difficult across Europe during the late spring and early summer of 2010.
'Relatively tame''Relatively tame'
About 20 countries closed their airspace and it affected hundreds of thousands of travellers.About 20 countries closed their airspace and it affected hundreds of thousands of travellers.
By comparison, the impact of the Grimsvotn volcano looks relatively tame, according to University of Iceland geophysicist Pall Einarsson. But even then, it had little impact on the health of people in the UK. The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network found almost no traces of ash on UK soil.
The ash particles from this eruption are said to be larger than last year and, as a result, fall to the ground more quickly. Even in areas of the UK where the fine ash from the eruption fell out of the plume and was deposited on the ground, there were no unusual consequences - most of the ash particles were too coarse and at too low a concentration to have any detectable impact on air quality.
But lung experts still advise precaution. And the impact of the Grimsvotn volcano looks to be tamer than this, according to University of Iceland geophysicist Pall Einarsson.
The ash particles from this eruption are said to be larger than last year and, as a result, should fall to the ground more quickly.
But lung experts are still advising precaution.
Dr Keith Prowse, of the British Lung Foundation, said: "In light of the latest news that ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland could reach the UK by Tuesday, we would advise people living with a lung condition in affected areas to carry their medication as a precaution."Dr Keith Prowse, of the British Lung Foundation, said: "In light of the latest news that ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland could reach the UK by Tuesday, we would advise people living with a lung condition in affected areas to carry their medication as a precaution."
Erica Evans, of Asthma UK, said: "We know that volcanic ash can trigger asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. However, as the ash is very high in the atmosphere it does not pose an immediate problem. Asthma UK advises people with asthma to monitor the news to see whether the ash cloud moves closer to the UK.Erica Evans, of Asthma UK, said: "We know that volcanic ash can trigger asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. However, as the ash is very high in the atmosphere it does not pose an immediate problem. Asthma UK advises people with asthma to monitor the news to see whether the ash cloud moves closer to the UK.
"People with asthma should make sure they maintain their regular asthma medicine and keep their emergency inhaler on them at all times.""People with asthma should make sure they maintain their regular asthma medicine and keep their emergency inhaler on them at all times."
Both charities say they can offer advice via a telephone helpline to anyone who may be concerned.Both charities say they can offer advice via a telephone helpline to anyone who may be concerned.