Mineralogical analyses and in vitro screening tests for the rapid evaluation of the health hazard of volcanic ash at Rabaul volcano, Papua New Guinea

• Published in: Bulletin of volcanology 2010-11, Vol.72 (9), p.1077-1092
• Main Authors: Le Blond, Jennifer S., Horwell, Claire J., Baxter, Peter J., Michnowicz, Sabina A. K., Tomatis, Maura, Fubini, Bice, Delmelle, Pierre, Dunster, Christina, Patia, Herman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calderas; Copper; Crystalline rocks; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Emissions; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental impact; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fly ash; Geological hazards; Geology; Geophysics/Geodesy; Gypsum; Health hazards; Hydroxyl radicals; Igneous and metamorphic rocks petrology, volcanic processes, magmas; Leachates; Mineralogy; Natural hazards: prediction, damages, etc; Oxidative stress; Public health; Research Article; Sedimentology; Silica; Silicosis; Volcanoes; Volcanology
• ISSN: 0258-8900; 1432-0819
• DOI: 10.1007/s00445-010-0382-7

The continuous ash and gas emissions from the Tavurvur cone in Rabaul caldera, Papua New Guinea, during 2007–08, raised concerns regarding how exposure would affect the respiratory health of nearby populations and impact on the environment. As part of a formal evaluation of the effects of volcanic emissions on public health, we investigated the potential health hazard of the ash using a suite of selected mineralogical analyses and in vitro toxicity screening tests. The trachy-andesitic ash comprised 2.1–6.7 vol.% respirable (sub-4 μm diameter) particles. The crystalline silica content was 1.9–5.0 wt.% cristobalite (in the bulk sample) with trace amounts of quartz and/or tridymite. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the ash particles were angular with sparse, fibre-like particles (∼3–60 μm max. diameter) observed in some samples, which we confirmed to be CaSO 4 (gypsum, at