Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112046

Bernadette M. Longo, RN, PhD, Department of Public Health, Oregon State University, 254 Waldo Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, 906-428-1938, blongo1959@aol.com

After 22 years of eruption at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i, the first environmental, epidemiological, and qualitative study was conducted to assess for adverse health effects from chronic exposure to volcanogenic air pollution. Environmental data from 2003 indicated that Kau District was being exposed to concentrations of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas (SO₂) and fine particles (≤0.3µm) that warranted public health concern. Ambient SO₂ average concentrations ranged from 6 to 34 ppbv, above the recommended minimal risk level, and penetrated indoors up to 71%. Fine particle concentrations ranged from 0.61 to 11.82 µg/m³. Volcanogenic air pollution downwind of Kilauea is strongly correlated with altitude, displaying a pattern of increasing fine particles and decreasing SO₂ with rise in elevation. In 2004, prevalence of cardiopulmonary health effects were assessed by a retrospective cohort survey of 335 randomly sampled adult residents. Exposed cohorts of SO₂ and sulfate were identified, and an unexposed cohort from the north end of the island. Prevalence ratios between the exposed and unexposed cohorts revealed substantially increased prevalence of cough (310%), phlegm (270%), throat irritation (600%), rhinorrhea (740%), eye irritation (430%), and bronchitis (210%). Field-measured blood pressure was significantly elevated in normal weight exposed participants. Respiratory and pulse rates were significantly faster than unexposed counterparts. The ecocentric perspective was the theoretical framework used to investigate the human-environmental interaction of the exposed population. Qualitative descriptions of health responses to the eruption were obtained from 225 participants by open-ended questions and unstructured interviews in the natural setting. Thirty-five percent of exposed participants perceived that their health had been affected by the eruption. Current and former smokers described being most affected. A sulfur illness syndrome, with primary and secondary characteristics, was identified in both asthmatics and the general population. Health promotion recommendations include general population cardiopulmonary screening, smoking cessation programs, cardiac risk factor reduction, and exercise régimes that reduce exposure. Adult populations with long-term residency in active volcanic areas may experience an excess burden of cardiopulmonary disease. Efforts by nurses are vital to improving health and ensuring equity of health services to populations residing in degassing volcanic areas. [Anne Rossignol, Oregon State University, June 2005]

Learning Objectives: Participants will be informed of the chronic health effects associated with long-lasting volcanic eruptions. A new research method will be discussed that used environmental assessment, epidemiological investigation and qualitative descriptions to assess the human-environmental interaction of the population. After hearing the presentation, the participant will be able to

• List two air pollutants from erupting volcanoes,
• identify two signs or symptoms associated with volcanic sulfur syndrome in adults,
• Apply one health promotion activity to a population in an active volcanic area.

Keywords: Air Quality, Cardiorespiratory

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.