Katla etc

[dizzydays]

Anyone see the volcano programme on BBC 2 last night? I wasn't paying all that much attention and obviously dont want to argue the if/when thing. But a couple of points caught my attention after the Icelandic PM warned Europe to prepare (but didn't say how).
There was talk of a previous eruption and huge amounts of sulphuric acid in the atmosphere all over Europe, causing breathing problems generally and deaths. Then the lady in Iceland who stayed home through the last eruption and suffered the ash cloud. She said when she slaughtered her lambs they had thickish black streaks from the ash throughout their lungs. So - I hadnt really considered the whole breathing problems thing in relation to a possible big eruption in Iceland. How do we deal with this? Would the masks which have been mentioned for flu be suitable (the masks which I haven't bought yet!)
Would these also be suitable if the atmosphere suffered the sulphuric acid type problem rather than ash? Anyone know?

DD

[Plymtom]

It's on BBC iPlayer I'm watching it now

[dizzydays]

I'd be interested in your thoughts Plym. I'm seeing it as a hole in my preps. I'd sure hate to have 6 months supply of food/water/candles only to choke to death on a flippin' ash cloud!


DD

[Plymtom]

OK Dizzy I watched it earlier, first thoughts are that sort the preps we are all doing are good for these kind of scenarios where an ash/gases cloud screws up the crops and the weather for a short period of time over a large area, one thing that we can all be relatively sure of is that if SHTF it will be a suprise in some way and there will be something we haven't thought of that we wish we had

This may sound crazy but one thing comes to mind is that for those of us who suffer with respiratory compliants, if breathing gets difficult, jerry riggging an air filter for an area with a vaccuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and alos bubling the air through a container full of water or something which would nuetralize sulphur dioxide in particular could save lives, even as a respite area not a permanent retreat could make the difference between life and death for someone who in normall times is simply mildly asthmatic.

[Arzosah]

OMG, a hubble bubble pipe could genuinely be a lifesaver. If that actually happens, in spite of all the doom and gloom that would be around, I'd be sniggering every time I used it! As well as thanking my lucky stars I had the preppingness to get one.

[Le Mouse]

This may sound crazy but one thing comes to mind is that for those of us who suffer with respiratory compliants, if breathing gets difficult, jerry riggging an air filter for an area with a vaccuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and alos bubling the air through a container full of water or something which would nuetralize sulphur dioxide in particular could save lives, even as a respite area not a permanent retreat could make the difference between life and death for someone who in normall times is simply mildly asthmatic.

Hi Plymtom, how does this work? I'm having trouble picturing it. I'm asthmatic and if there is a way of creating an area with cleaner air then I'm really keen to know!

[Plymtom]

Well Mouse if you imagine a Huble buble pot as Arzosah called itscalled up to vacuum cleaner hose type scale, take for instance one of those large food storage buckets and a section of pipe through one of two holes in the lid into a partially filled alkaline solution ( Exactly what escapes me for the moment but it would be something readily available) the pipe is passed through a hole in a window/wall/door to the outside air, and you vaccuum cleaner is attached to the other hole in the lid which sits well above the solution, the air is then sucked into the solution and out through your vacuum cleaner removing acidic gases and most other airbourne contamination, that's the basic idea, how long the solution would work for depends on the level of nasties in the air aswell as how strong you make the solution.

I would have thought it OTT for Asthma without there being volcanic gases in the air, the HEPA filter alone would clean the air, asthma is an arse of a thing to cope with, my dad had it, my wife has it, and I even get it myself when I get a bad cold etc, my dad's would flare up with an arguement, smoke, or pet hair, but ordinary house dust is no help, so getting the how clean is your house bug can ease the symptoms, but going too far cleaning I reckon only increases ones sensitivity, no doubt you know yourself what makes it worse and stock up on inhailers

[Le Mouse]

Well Mouse if you imagine a Huble buble pot as Arzosah called itscalled up to vacuum cleaner hose type scale, take for instance one of those large food storage buckets and a section of pipe through one of two holes in the lid into a partially filled alkaline solution ( Exactly what escapes me for the moment but it would be something readily available) the pipe is passed through a hole in a window/wall/door to the outside air, and you vaccuum cleaner is attached to the other hole in the lid which sits well above the solution, the air is then sucked into the solution and out through your vacuum cleaner removing acidic gases and most other airbourne contamination, that's the basic idea, how long the solution would work for depends on the level of nasties in the air aswell as how strong you make the solution.

I would have thought it OTT for Asthma without there being volcanic gases in the air, the HEPA filter alone would clean the air, asthma is an arse of a thing to cope with, my dad had it, my wife has it, and I even get it myself when I get a bad cold etc, my dad's would flare up with an arguement, smoke, or pet hair, but ordinary house dust is no help, so getting the how clean is your house bug can ease the symptoms, but going too far cleaning I reckon only increases ones sensitivity, no doubt you know yourself what makes it worse and stock up on inhailers

Cheers for the explanation Plymtom. I am a bear of very little brain so needed that

I wouldn't be using it day-to-day, but as you said if there were some nasties in the air - when Buncefield went up a few years ago, this might have been kept ready.

I was only diagnosed with asthma 7 years ago (despite having it for years before) and I'm still working out what sets me off - so far very bad colds and laughing ( ) are definite triggers. Sometimes dust makes it worse, sometimes not.

I'm off to go find the volcano programme on iPlayer now

[dizzydays]

also bubling the air through a container full of water or something which would nuetralize sulphur dioxide in particular .

Ta Plym. Hmm. Would using a dehumidifier have the same effect?

Below I've pasted what I've found as general advice for volcanic eruptions of the heavy ash type.

How to protect yourself during ashfall

Volcanic ash is actually fine, glassy fragments and particles that can cause severe injury to breathing passages, eyes,open wounds and irritation to skin.

Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants
Use goggles to protect your eyes
Wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses
Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help breathing.
Keep car /truck engines off

Avoid driving - volcanic ash can clog engines and stall vehicles. Moving parts can be damaged from abrasion, including bearings, brakes and transmissions.

If required to drive in dense dust, keep speed down to 35mph or slower
Change oil often. In very dense dust at 50 - 100 mile intervals.

Cover the passenger compartment vent inlet (located at base of windshield and usually under the hood) with thick, loosely woven felt type material to filter the air into the vehicle. Keep the heater blower on high. The blower will slightly pressurise the inside of the vehicle and keep dust from entering through body gaps/holes.



DD - must get goggles and masks on the 'to do' list.

[Plymtom]

Hi Dizzy

That as far as I know would be a negative on the dehumidifier, they simply remove moisture from the air, so actually using one could have the negative effect of making the sulphur dioxide get absorbed by remaining moist things.

Good info for if you have to go out in it you found there.