Epidemiologic assessment of the risk for adverse pulmonary effects from persistent occupational exposures to Mount St. Helens's volcanic ash (TEPHRA)

ABSTRACT

Following the May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens's Volcano in the state of Washington. Laboratory studies were undertaken of the mineralogic nature and toxicologic actions of the ash. This paper addresses these studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It then proceeds to describe the short-term findings of a cross-sectional, acute, and longitudinal health hazard evaluation of the effects of persistent occupational exposures to highly respirable volcanic ash. This unusual health hazard evaluation represents a cooperative effort by union management and government researcher