The level of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas from the Holuhraun eruption reached close to 1,000 mµ/m3 in the capital area during the night. At levels above 600 mµ/m3 individuals with underlying conditions are likely to experience respiratory symptoms and outdoor activity is advised against. While health effects are unlikely among healthy individuals, heavy outdoor activity is still advised against, according to the Directorate of Health.
The pollution level has since dropped slightly but is rising again. The forecast is for the pollution to remain in the capital area today with levels varying throughout the day.
The highest level can be found in the suburb of Grafarvogur with 920 mµ/m3 as of 8:30 this morning. The level is 500 mµ/m3 at the Grensásvegur monitoring station, which is the closest station to the downtown area. The pollution level is around 800 mµ/m3 in the town of Hveragerði, South Iceland, but the air quality is currently fine elsewhere.
Further information can be found in English on the website of the Directorate of Health.
Go to airquality.is to check the pollution levels in different locations in Iceland at any given time and to vedur.is for pollution forecasts.
SO2 gas is expected to remain west and southwest of the eruption, including West, Southwest and the western parts of South Iceland.
