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

Respiratory hazard assessment of combined exposure to complete gasoline exhaust and respirable volcanic ash in a multicellular human lung model at the air-liquid interface

Tomašeka, Ines ; J.Horwell, Claire ; Bisig, Christoph ; E.Damby, David ; Comte, Pierre ; Czerwinski, Jan ; Petri-Finkb, Alke ; J.D.Clift, Martin ; Drasler, Barbara ; Rothen-Rutishauser, Barbara

In: Environmental Pollution, 2018, vol. 238, p. 977–987

Communities resident in urban areas located near active volcanoes can experience volcanic ash exposures during, and following, an eruption, in addition to sustained exposures to high concentrations of anthropogenic air pollutants (e.g., vehicle exhaust emissions). Inhalation of anthropogenic pollution is known to cause the onset of, or exacerbate, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It...