Particulate matter air pollution, including volcanic ash, can be especially harmful to people with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Exposure to particulate air pollution can trigger asthma attacks and cause wheezing, coughing, and respiratory irritation in individuals with sensitive airways. The following guidelines will protect your lung health, and should be followed especially by those at highest risk, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic lung diseases.

• Stay indoors.
• Do not smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus and help you cough.
• Refrain from all outdoor exercise if particle pollution is visible. Reduce or eliminate indoor activity.
• Using a High Efficiency Particle (HEPA) filter in your forced air furnace and/or HEPA air purifier may be beneficial.
• If you take medications, put them in a convenient place. It is important to continue taking your medicines. Medications you need for an acute episode should be readily available. If you don’t have any medications, but feel that you might need them, call your physician. Make sure you have clear instructions from your physician as to what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.
• Assume that your lung condition may deteriorate and contact your physician as soon as any problem develops. Do not allow a respiratory condition to linger, especially if there is a high concentration of ash particles.
• Utilize air quality monitoring systems to determine the safety of the air quality in your area each day:

Anchorage: 343-4899

Statewide: 269-3070

• A paper, gauze surgical, or non-toxic dust mask may be helpful. Moistening the mask with a solution of baking soda and water may improve the filtration of irritating particles. ***If you find it difficult to breathe with the mask on, remove it immediately. A dust mask with an N-95 rating is most highly recommended for ash protection.
  If you don't have a mask available, use a damp handkerchief.
• Close doors, windows and dampers. Place damp towels at door thresholds and other draft sources; tape drafty windows.

While these suggestions are intended especially for persons suffering from respiratory conditions (asthma, emphysema, bronchitis), they are also useful for normally healthy people during episodes of volcanic haze.

Resources:

Alaska Volcano Observatory: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Augustine.php

State of Alaska Volcano Eruption Preparedness: http://www.ak-prepared.com./plans/mitigation/volcano.htm

Lung Health Helpline: 1-800-LUNGUSA

Environmental Protection Agency

Center for Disease Control