Long-term health effects of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption: a prospective cohort study in 2010 and 2013.
To examine the long-term development of physical and mental health following exposure to a volcanic eruption.



Population-based prospective cohort study.



In spring 2010, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted. Data were collected at 2 time points: in 2010 and 2013.



Adult residents in areas close to the Eyjafjallajökull volcano (N=1096), divided according to exposure levels, and a non-exposed sample (n=475), with 80% participation rate in 2013.



Physical symptoms in the previous year (chronic) and previous month (recent), and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12-item version, GHQ-12), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-4) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Primary Care PTSD, PC-PTSD).



In the exposed group, certain symptoms were higher in 2013 than in 2010, for example, morning phlegm during winter (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.49 to 3.06), skin rash/eczema (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.76 to 4.65), back pain (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.05) and insomnia (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.30), in addition to a higher prevalence of regular use of certain medications (eg, for asthma (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.01 to 7.77)). PTSD symptoms decreased between 2010 and 2013 (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61), while the prevalence of psychological distress and perceived stress remained similar. In 2013, the exposed group showed a higher prevalence of various respiratory symptoms than did the non-exposed group, such as wheezing without a cold (high exposure OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.47) and phlegm (high exposure OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.48 to 5.55), some symptoms reflecting the degree of exposure (eg, nocturnal chest tightness (medium exposed OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.21 to 10.46; high exposed OR 3.42; 95% CI 1.30 to 11.79)).



The findings indicate that people exposed to a volcanic eruption, especially those most exposed, exhibit increased risk of certain symptoms 3-4 years after the eruption.
Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Heidrun
H
Hlodversdottir
Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland Institute for Sustainability Studies, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Gudrun
G
Petursdottir
Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Hanne Krage
0000-0003-1656-9624
HK
Carlsen
Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Thorarinn
T
Gislason
Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Arna
A
Hauksdottir
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013995:Time; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions; D055815:Young Adult
MENTAL HEALTH; Natural disaster; Respiratory health; Volcanic ash