Pollution detectors show that air quality was good in South Iceland during the night with sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels not exceeding 5 mµ/m3. Today, the Icelandic Met Office expects light variable winds with gas pollution remaining mostly around the eruption site in Holuhraun in the northeastern highlands, ruv.is reports.
Inhabitants in South Iceland from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Höfn have been subject to extreme SO2 pollution in the past days with concentration of gas reaching a record of 21,000 mµ/m3 at one point. People were advised to stay inside and take measures to keep the gas out.
The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority points out that animals are also sensitive towards high levels of SO2 and that their owners should not keep them outside if they seem to be experiencing discomfort because of the pollution.
Follow vedur.is for forecasts and airquality.is for pollution levels in different locations in Iceland. On the website of the Environment Agency of Iceland (below the table), there are instructions on how to respond to high levels of SO2.
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