Today, September 19, marks one year since the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma. They were three months of nightmare for a population that saw how the lava engulfed their houses and belongings. But also months of confinement and masks to avoid the effects of the gases and ashes of the volcano on health.
And while all this was happening, a group of health professionals from , specialized in allergies, and the support of , began an observational study in order to determine the impact that these ashes and gases would have on the population of the island. who had allergies.
Well, one year after the eruption and 6 months after the start of the study, these specialists have determined that 30% of the adult allergic population and 15% of the pediatric allergic population who were well controlled before the volcanic eruption present worsening of bronchial symptoms.
And this aggravation of symptoms occurs both among those patients who resided and reside in the areas closest to the volcano as well as those whose daily routines take place in more remote areas.
The consequences of the eruption in the medium and long term
How does the Dr. Zulay Almeidaan allergist at the University Hospital of La Palma and a member of the SEAIC, as soon as the eruption began, the allergists saw an increase in the number of consultations due to skin, rhinoconjunctival and bronchial reactions caused by the ashes and emissions from the volcano.
These reactions were to be expected, but the specialists wondered what consequences the eruption would have in the patients in the medium and long term.
This is how the idea of carrying out this study arose, for which the specialists delimited three zones on the island based on the intensity of exposure to the volcano’s emissions.
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The area that includes the municipalities of El Paso-Los Llanos-Tazacorte was considered a high exposure zone;
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The intermediate exposure zone in the municipalities of Villa de Mazo, Breña Alta-Breña Baja, Santa Cruz de la Palma and Fuencaliente.
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The rest of the island, the northern zone, was considered the area of low exposure and was used as a control group.
Cutaneous and rhinoconjunctive symptoms, in the medium term
Dr. Almeida explains that:
“Through this study we have assessed how the eruption has affected the cutaneous-rhinoconjunctival and bronchial symptoms. The data obtained in the adult and pediatric population show that the rhinoconjunctival symptoms are exacerbated during the eruption of the volcano, presenting a direct correlation to the degree of exposure , with an almost complete recovery after 6 months”.
In addition, it points out that “the skin symptoms are exacerbated in 10% of the study population during the volcano, both pediatric and adult, and return to their baseline state after 6 months.”
According to the allergist at Hospital Universitario de La Palma, “these data allow us to state that both the skin and rhinoconjunctival involvement produced by the volcanic eruption do not appear to have consequences in the medium term.”
30% of allergic patients have seen their bronchial symptoms worsen
However, allergic patients with bronchial symptoms have been more affected by the eruption of Cumbre Vieja. And as the allergist explains:
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“30% of the population that was previously well controlled has worsened their health condition after 6 months and only 15% of the pediatric population shows this worsening.”
Furthermore, this aggravation of symptoms occurs not only in the area most affected by the volcano, but also in the area of intermediate exposure. This suggests that:
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“Lower concentrations of ash are needed to affect the lower airway and that, regardless of whether the volcano has been declared extinct, we are still exposed to ash that is remobilized by the wind.”
So far the second phase of the study. Data is now being collected to determine the effects of the volcano on the adult and child allergic population after one year. “The study at 12 months – he concludes – will tell us if this part of the population maintains the deterioration registered in the medium term or, on the contrary, has improved”.
According to doctor Teresa Carrillo, “the investigation contemplates 3 different phases. During the eruptive process, after 6 months and after a year. For this we have used questionnaires designed ad hoc and other validated ESPRINT-ACT type. Our main objective – he continues – is to evaluate the impact that the inhalation of particulate matter, such as gases and ashes, will have on the allergic population of the island, not on the general population, in the short and long term”.
The dangers of pollution to health
He Dr. Ignacio Davilapresident-elect of the SEAIC, explains that “it is responsible for the death of millions of people and represents the greatest risk factor for premature mortality worldwide, as well as being a key factor in the current increase in allergic diseases” .
The specialist affirms that:
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“Volcano eruptions constitute one of the most important sources of toxic gases and particulate matter such as ash, fumes, and aerosols in the atmosphere. These emissions cause adverse effects on the environment, the climate, and the health of exposed people.”