The General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Islands has asked the population of the whole island of La Palma to refrain from outdoor recreational and sports activities to avoid exposure to volcanic ash and gases that are being emitted from the Cumbre Vieja eruption. Although the lava flows only affect those on the west of the island, the column of ash, steam, and sulphur dioxide is a danger for all.
The Ministry of Health has explained that exposure of healthy people to the gases and ashes emitted by the volcano can lead to respiratory and ocular problems, as well as to the skin if it is not covered.
For this reason, it is not advisable to go to the beach or a pool in the current situation, and people who must remain in an area exposed to the ash must adopt individual protection measures: FFP2 mask, protective glasses/goggles, and the skin fully covered with a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, and a cap.
They advise that people should only go outside if it is extremely necessary with windows shut, and that time spent outside should be limited to what is strictly essential, as although you may not be able to see the ash particles or gases, they are there.
Finally, they request that children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with lung or heart conditions who are at the greatest risk, must exercise extreme compliance with the measures to protect their health.
They remind that 50 years ago when the last eruption took place in 1971, one person lost their life which was not down to the eruption, but it was a journalist who got too exposed to gases and died with respiratory problems.
