Sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution from the Holuhraun eruption peaked at 6,000 mµ/m3 in Höfn in Southeast Iceland at 4:30 this morning, ruv.is reports. Sulfur dioxide levels also reached extreme levels in the town yesterday morning.
People in the area have been advised to close windows, turn on the heaters and stay indoors, while SO2 levels exceed 2,000 mµ/m3, as such high concentration of the gas is considered unhealthy, according to the Environment Agency of Iceland.
There is no air quality monitoring station in Höfn but the Environment Agency of Icland has several handheld gas measurement devices in the town.
Pollution from the eruption can be expected in the northern part of Iceland today and across the northwest tomorrow, according to the Icelandic Met Office.
Yesterday afternoon, SO2 levels reached 2,600 mµ/m3 in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, South Iceland. People were advised to avoid activity outdoors, visir.is reports.
Graphs showing pollution levels in different locations are available on the website of the Environment Agency of Iceland.
A map showing a calculation of atmospheric concentration of SO2 at ground level is also available on the website of the Icelandic Met Office.
A map on the website of the Reykjavík Public Health Authority shows the location of pollution sensors in the capital area and the quality of air at each given time.
Information about the effects of volcanic gases on human health is available in English on the website of the Environment Agency of Iceland (see the right-hand tab ‘Info and FAQ’).
