Volcanic Gas Cloud Raises Health and Environmental Concerns

The United Kingdom is bracing for an unprecedented heatwave next month, with forecasters predicting temperatures that could break a century-old record. This climatic abnormality comes amid concerns over air quality deterioration following the eruption of a volcanic plume contaminated with sulphur dioxide from Iceland.

According to meteorological data, the southeast of England may see the thermometer rise above 32°C next month, each summer fervor after a temperate last couple of weeks. The Met Office has alerted to a possible heatwave while monitoring volcanic sulphur dioxide’s path through the UK. Despite the cloud being at high altitude which means that no contamination will affect the air quality closer to the ground, the event has raised awareness about environmental protection and health.

Indeed, the excitement of frequent volcanic eruptions in Iceland is considerable, where the same volcano has been erupted many times since last December. It has formed another fissure on the reykjanes peninsula, indicating that the geological event is ongoing. While fortunately not implying too much devastation so far, frequent eruptions deliver potential risks to the aviation regime and people’s health through the air contamination in the magnitude of the Eyjafjallajokull 2010 eruption.

Currently, local authorities and health providers are of the opinion that there is no harm coming to the public from these natural disaster effects. Sulphur dioxide is a chemical used in a variety of industrial operations, with those living in the vicinity of factories’ industrial emissions being most likely to come in contact with it; as an ill effect, suffocation, coughing, and eye, throat, and nose irritation.

Although these levels in Iceland and the United Kingdom have been reported to be within safe limits, those with chronic heart and lung conditions, who may struggle with respiratory distress, are encouraged to follow any further information updates on the event provided by Met Office.

Both the general population and the government members should stay informed and aim to become prepared for such challenges and any resurgences of those during the heatwave. Further, as environmental and climate abnormalities become more frequent, this example serves as a compelling reason for a government and NGOs in the UK to invest in more comparable systems.