Lung function after Tajogaite volcano eruption in La Palma: ISVOLCAN study

Background

Volcanic eruptions represent a public health hazard through the release of irritating gases, such as SO₂, and particulate matter, which are primarily associated with respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The eruption of the Tajogaite volcano (La Palma, 2021), which lasted for 85 days, led to a severe decline in air quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between area of residence during the volcanic eruption and lung function among ISVOLCAN study participants.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted in the general population randomly selected from municipalities in the western and eastern areas of the island. In the first phase of the study, sociodemographic variables, smoking status, history of respiratory disease, and volcanic exposure variables were collected using an epidemiological questionnaire; subsequently, forced spirometry was performed. An obstructive respiratory pattern was defined as FEV1/FVC < 70%.

Results

A total of 604 participants were included (50.4±13.4 years; 61.8% women); 67.1% resided in the western area. Overall, 21% were smokers and 11.1% had a history of respiratory disease. The frequency of an obstructive pattern was 28.8%. The median time from the eruption to the performance of spirometry was 424 days. In the adjusted logistic regression model, residing in the western area was associated with a higher probability of an obstructive pattern (OR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.01–2.67; p = 0.046). In subjects without a history of respiratory disease, the association was also significant (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.03–2.93). Exposure to intermediate SO₂ levels showed a higher risk of presenting an obstructive pattern (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.18–3.34; p = 0.033).

Conclusions

Residence in highly exposed volcanic areas was associated with an increased risk of developing an obstructive pattern, even among individuals with no previous respiratory disease, with SO₂ identified as the main pollutant contributing to this risk.

Key messages

• Living in highly exposed areas during the Tajogaite eruption was a risk factor for developing an obstructive respiratory pattern.

• SO₂ was the air pollutant that most strongly increased respiratory risk.