Long-term Health Effects of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Eruption: a Prospective Cohort Study in 2010 and 2013

Overview

Journal BMJ Open

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2016 Sep 10

PMID 27609845

Citations 10

Authors

Heidrun Hlodversdottir

Gudrun Petursdottir

Hanne Krage Carlsen

Thorarinn Gislason

Arna Hauksdottir

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the long-term development of physical and mental health following exposure to a volcanic eruption.

Design: Population-based prospective cohort study.

Setting: In spring 2010, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted. Data were collected at 2 time points: in 2010 and 2013.

Participants: Adult residents in areas close to the Eyjafjallajökull volcano (N=1096), divided according to exposure levels, and a non-exposed sample (n=475), with 80% participation rate in 2013.

Main Outcome Measures: Physical symptoms in the previous year (chronic) and previous month (recent), and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12-item version, GHQ-12), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-4) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Primary Care PTSD, PC-PTSD).

Results: In the exposed group, certain symptoms were higher in 2013 than in 2010, for example, morning phlegm during winter (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.49 to 3.06), skin rash/eczema (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.76 to 4.65), back pain (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.05) and insomnia (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.30), in addition to a higher prevalence of regular use of certain medications (eg, for asthma (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.01 to 7.77)). PTSD symptoms decreased between 2010 and 2013 (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61), while the prevalence of psychological distress and perceived stress remained similar. In 2013, the exposed group showed a higher prevalence of various respiratory symptoms than did the non-exposed group, such as wheezing without a cold (high exposure OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.47) and phlegm (high exposure OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.48 to 5.55), some symptoms reflecting the degree of exposure (eg, nocturnal chest tightness (medium exposed OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.21 to 10.46; high exposed OR 3.42; 95% CI 1.30 to 11.79)).

Conclusions: The findings indicate that people exposed to a volcanic eruption, especially those most exposed, exhibit increased risk of certain symptoms 3-4 years after the eruption.

Citing Articles

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Gudmundsdottir R, Jonsson B, Valdimarsdottir U, Carlsen H, Hlodversdottir H, Song H BMJ Open. 2022; 12(5):e059375.

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