Université de Fribourg

Assessment of the potential for in-plume sulphur dioxide gas-ash interactions to influence the respiratory toxicity of volcanic ash

Tomašek, Ines ; Damby, David E. ; Horwell, Claire J. ; Ayris, Paul M. ; Delmelle, Pierre ; Ottley, Christopher J. ; Cubillas, Pablo ; Casas, Ana S. ; Bisig, Christoph ; Petri-Fink, Alke ; Dingwell, Donald B. ; Clift, Martin J. D. ; Drasler, Barbara ; Rothen-Rutishauser, Barbara

In: Environmental Research, 2019, vol. 179, p. 108798

Volcanic plumes are complex environments composed of gases and ash particles, where chemical and physical processes occur at different temperature and compositional regimes. Commonly, soluble sulphate- and chloride-bearing salts are formed on ash as gases interact with ash surfaces. Exposure to respirable volcanic ash following an eruption is potentially a significant health concern. The...

Université de Fribourg

Combined exposure of diesel exhaust particles and respirable Soufrière Hills volcanic ash causes a (pro-)inflammatory response in an in vitro multicellular epithelial tissue barrier model

Tomašek, Ines ; Horwell, Claire J. ; Damby, David E. ; Barošová, Hana ; Geers, Christoph ; Petri-Fink, Alke ; Rothen-Rutishauser, Barbara ; Clift, Martin J. D.

In: Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 2016, vol. 13, p. 67

There are justifiable health concerns regarding the potential adverse effects associated with human exposure to volcanic ash (VA) particles, especially when considering communities living in urban areas already exposed to heightened air pollution. The aim of this study was, therefore, to gain an imperative, first understanding of the biological impacts of respirable VA when exposed...