Characterization of respirable volcanic ash from the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, with implications for human health hazards

Volcanic ash, generated in the long-lived eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, is shown to contain respirable (sub-4 μm) particles and cristobalite, a crystalline silica polymorph. Respirable particles of cristobalite can cause silicosis, raising the possibility that volcanic ash …