Can metals and radionuclides in Shiveluch (Kamchatka) volcanic ash affect human health?

• Published in: Journal of Environmental Management
• Main Authors: Zinicovscaia, Inga, Chernyagina, Olga, Chaligava, Omari, Grozdov, Dmitrii, Fedorenko, Maria, Kapralov, Mikhail
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Science 2024
• Subjects: Elemental composition; Health risk; Kamchatka; Natural radionuclides; Shiveluch; Volcanic ash
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121616; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38941854

Volcanic eruption is associated with the release of large volumes of pollutants in the environment, which can pose a risk to humans and other living organisms. The elemental and radioisotope composition of ash released during the Shiveluch Volcano eruption in 2023 was analyzed using ICP-MS and low-background gamma spectrometry. The ash consisted of 59% SiO2, 16.7% Al2O3, 5.3% CaO, 4.6 % Na2O, 4.5% Fe2O3, 1.4% K2O, 0.48% TiO2, 0.17% P2O5, 0.15% S, 0.078% MnO and 44 trace elements. Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index were calculated in order to evaluate the potential health risks to children and adults due to exposure to contaminants via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. All values were below the unit, indicating a low probability of non-carcinogenic and cancerogenic risk occurrence in target groups. The average activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides were 350, 12.4 and 4.84 Bq/kg for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th. Radiological indices, including external and internal risk assessment, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, gamma index, and excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated to estimate the radiological hazard for the population. The values of all indices were below the recommended safety limits, indicating a low level of hazard for the exposed population.