Antara News, Sunday, October 31, 2010 01:28 WIB
Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Volcanic ash from Mount Merapi, if inhaled in a large quantity, could stick to the inner walls of one`s lungs and lessen their elasticity, a local public health official said.
"If the volcanic ash is inhaled in a large quantity, it could stick to the inner linings of a person`s lungs and reduce their elasticity. It is a real health hazard because it can cause infection of the respiratory system and the person could asphyxiate," Bondan Agus Suryanto, the head of Yogyakarta`s Health Office, said here Saturday.
People with a respiratory system allergic to foreign substances or suffering from asthma are advised to avoid the volcanic ash as inhaling it could trigger an attack of the ailments, he said.
The volcanic ash could stick to the respiratory tract and it could only be neutralized in the blood stream if it was small in quantity, he said.
Volcanic ash was also harmful to the eyes because it would obstruct the production of tears that serve as a cleaning and lubricating agent for the eyeballs, and thus cause irritation and inflammation of the optical tissues, he said.
Bondan advised people living near Mount Merapi not to do unnecessary outdoor activities. But if they had to go outdoors, it was best for them to wear protective masks to avoid inhaling sulfuric acid volcanic ash.
His office would distribute more masks to the people, he said.
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