A major goal of IVHHN is to produce guidelines, protocols and recommendations for volcanic ash and gas management. On 3 November 2003, the first meeting was held, at the British Geological Survey, UK, attended by Expert Members of IVHHN involved with ash hazard management. The aim of the meeting was to write guidelines on
- The collection and analysis of volcanic ash for health-related research.
- Recommended safety guidelines for dealing with volcanic ash, including masks and ash clearance techniques.
- Medical advice for post-ash fall to be disseminated by local medical practitioners.
- An introduction to volcanic health hazard issues for dissemination in communities living close to active volcanoes.
Following the meeting, the 2nd draft of the guidelines is being written. The guidelines will be approved by the panel of Expert Members involved. Following this, the guidelines will be ratified, through IAVCEI, by an expert panel of international scientists affiliated with major organizations such as WHO, NIOSH, HSE, USGS, PAHO etc. The guidelines will be disseminated through our website but also in pamphlet form through WOVO, to volcano observatories around the world, where they will be distributed within local communities. If you are aware of any grant-giving bodies who might wish to contribute towards the costs of producing leaflets, please contact Claire Horwell with this information.