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Health‐Damaging Climate Events Highlight the Need for Interdisciplinary, Engaged Research (2024)
Journal Article
Stowell, J. D., Anenberg, S., Zaitchik, B. F., Tong, D. Q., Horwell, C. J., Stolle, D. P., …McEntee, C. (2024). Health‐Damaging Climate Events Highlight the Need for Interdisciplinary, Engaged Research. Geohealth, 8(2), Article e2024GH001022. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024gh001022

In 2023 human populations experienced multiple record‐breaking climate events, with widespread impacts on human health and well‐being. These events include extreme heat domes, drought, severe storms, flooding, and wildfires. Due to inherent lags in t... Read More about Health‐Damaging Climate Events Highlight the Need for Interdisciplinary, Engaged Research.

Physicochemical hazard assessment of ash and dome rock from the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière, St Vincent, for the assessment of respiratory health impacts and water contamination (2023)
Journal Article
Horwell, C. J., Damby, D. E., Stewart, C., Joseph, E. P., Barclay, J., Davies, B. V., …Tunstall, N. (2024). Physicochemical hazard assessment of ash and dome rock from the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière, St Vincent, for the assessment of respiratory health impacts and water contamination. Geological Society Special Publications, 539(1), https://doi.org/10.1144/sp539-2023-46

La Soufrière, St Vincent, began an extrusive eruption on 27 December 2020. The lava dome was destroyed, along with much of the pre-existing 1979 dome, in explosive eruptions from 9 to 22 April 2021. Lava domes generate crystalline silica – inhalation... Read More about Physicochemical hazard assessment of ash and dome rock from the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière, St Vincent, for the assessment of respiratory health impacts and water contamination.

The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN): reflections on 20 years of progress (2023)
Journal Article
Horwell, C. J., Baxter, P. J., Damby, D. E., Elias, T., Ilyinskaya, E., Sparks, R. S. J., …Tomašek, I. (2023). The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN): reflections on 20 years of progress. Frontiers in Earth Science, 11, Article 1213363. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1213363

The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN; www.ivhhn.org) is an interdisciplinary organization which coordinates research and provides advice on volcanic health hazards and impacts. The field of research on the human health hazards a... Read More about The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN): reflections on 20 years of progress.

The post-2016 long-lasting Vulcanian activity of Sabancaya volcano (Peru) and associated aeolian remobilisation of volcanic ash (2023)
Journal Article
Fries, A., Dominguez, L., Jarvis, P. A., Pistolesi, M., Manrique, N., Aguilar, R., …Bonadonna, C. (2023). The post-2016 long-lasting Vulcanian activity of Sabancaya volcano (Peru) and associated aeolian remobilisation of volcanic ash. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 441, Article 107876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107876

Perceptions of volcanic air pollution and exposure reduction practices on the Island of Hawai‘i: Working towards socially relevant risk communication (2023)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Elias, T., Covey, J., Bhandari, R., & Truby, J. (2023). Perceptions of volcanic air pollution and exposure reduction practices on the Island of Hawai‘i: Working towards socially relevant risk communication. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 95, Article 103853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103853

Kīlauea volcano, on the Island of Hawai‘i, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Over the past four decades it has released large amounts of volcanic gases and aerosols which form volcanic air pollution known as ‘vog’. Communities downwin... Read More about Perceptions of volcanic air pollution and exposure reduction practices on the Island of Hawai‘i: Working towards socially relevant risk communication.

Volcanic air pollution and human health: recent advances and future directions (2021)
Journal Article
Stewart, C., Damby, D., Horwell, C., Elias, T., Ilyinskaya, E., Tomašek, I., …Witham, C. (2022). Volcanic air pollution and human health: recent advances and future directions. Bulletin of Volcanology, 84(1), Article 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-021-01513-9

Volcanic air pollution from both explosive and effusive activity can affect large populations as far as thousands of kilometers away from the source, for days to decades or even centuries. Here, we summarize key advances and prospects in the assessme... Read More about Volcanic air pollution and human health: recent advances and future directions.

Carers' perceptions of harm and the protective measures taken to safeguard children's health against inhalation of volcanic ash: A comparative study across Indonesia, Japan and Mexico (2021)
Journal Article
Covey, J., Dominelli, L., Horwell, C., Rachmawati, L., Martin-del Pozzo, A., Armienta, M., …Ogawa, R. (2021). Carers' perceptions of harm and the protective measures taken to safeguard children's health against inhalation of volcanic ash: A comparative study across Indonesia, Japan and Mexico. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 59, Article 102194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102194

Volcanic ash contains potentially toxic elements which could affect human health. There is a paucity of research focusing on the impact of airborne volcanic emissions on the health of children, and on their exposure reduction. Children's carers (pare... Read More about Carers' perceptions of harm and the protective measures taken to safeguard children's health against inhalation of volcanic ash: A comparative study across Indonesia, Japan and Mexico.

Assessing the biological reactivity of organic compounds on volcanic ash: implications for human health hazard (2021)
Journal Article
Tomašek, I., Damby, D., Andronico, D., Baxter, P., Boonen, I., Claeys, P., …Elskens, M. (2021). Assessing the biological reactivity of organic compounds on volcanic ash: implications for human health hazard. Bulletin of Volcanology, 83(5), Article 30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-021-01453-4

Exposure to volcanic ash is a long-standing health concern for people living near active volcanoes and in distal urban areas. During transport and deposition, ash is subjected to various physicochemical processes that may change its surface compositi... Read More about Assessing the biological reactivity of organic compounds on volcanic ash: implications for human health hazard.

Development of a simulated lung fluid leaching method to assess the release of potentially toxic elements from volcanic ash (2021)
Journal Article
Tomašek, I., Damby, D., Stewart, C., Horwell, C., Plumlee, G., Ottley, C., …Leermakers, M. (2021). Development of a simulated lung fluid leaching method to assess the release of potentially toxic elements from volcanic ash. Chemosphere, 278, Article 130303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130303

Freshly erupted volcanic ash contains a range of soluble elements, some of which can generate harmful effects in living cells and are considered potentially toxic elements (PTEs). This work investigates the leaching dynamics of ash-associated PTEs in... Read More about Development of a simulated lung fluid leaching method to assess the release of potentially toxic elements from volcanic ash.

Merapi multiple: Protection around Yogyakarta’s celebrity volcano through masks, dreams, and seismographs (2020)
Journal Article
Schwartz-Marin, E., Merli, C., Rachmawati, L., Horwell, C., & Nugroho, F. (2022). Merapi multiple: Protection around Yogyakarta’s celebrity volcano through masks, dreams, and seismographs. History and Anthropology, 33(5), 588-610. https://doi.org/10.1080/02757206.2020.1799788

Gunung Merapi (Mountain of Fire) is the guardian of a cosmogonic-sacred landscape, and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Its eruptions are well studied, however, the relationships among ritual, science, protection and grassroots disas... Read More about Merapi multiple: Protection around Yogyakarta’s celebrity volcano through masks, dreams, and seismographs.

Health Impact Assessment of volcanic ash inhalation: A comparison with outdoor air pollution methods (2020)
Journal Article
Mueller, W., Cowie, H., Horwell, C., Hurley, F., & Baxter, P. (2020). Health Impact Assessment of volcanic ash inhalation: A comparison with outdoor air pollution methods. Geohealth, 4(7), Article e2020GH000256. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gh000256

This paper critically appraises the extrapolation of concentration‐response functions (CRFs) for fine and coarse particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10 respectively, used in outdoor air pollution Health Impact Assessment (HIA) studies to assess the exten... Read More about Health Impact Assessment of volcanic ash inhalation: A comparison with outdoor air pollution methods.

Assessment of the Wearability of Facemasks against Air Pollution in Primary School-Aged Children in London (2020)
Journal Article
Smart, N., Horwell, C., Smart, T., & Galea, K. (2020). Assessment of the Wearability of Facemasks against Air Pollution in Primary School-Aged Children in London. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), Article 3935. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113935

Air pollution is a major health problem and children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects. Facemasks are one form of protection but, to be effective, they need to filter out airborne pollutants, fit the face well and be wearable. In thi... Read More about Assessment of the Wearability of Facemasks against Air Pollution in Primary School-Aged Children in London.

Air Pollution Disasters: Liability Issues in Negligence Associated With the Provision of Personal Protective Interventions (Facemasks) (2020)
Journal Article
McDonald, F., & Horwell, C. (2021). Air Pollution Disasters: Liability Issues in Negligence Associated With the Provision of Personal Protective Interventions (Facemasks). Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 15(3), 367-373. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.37

Disasters may impact air quality through the generation of high levels of potentially pathogenic particulate matter (PM), for example, in a volcanic eruption. Depending on the concentrations of particles in the air, their size and composition, and th... Read More about Air Pollution Disasters: Liability Issues in Negligence Associated With the Provision of Personal Protective Interventions (Facemasks).

Community perceptions of protective practices to prevent ash exposures around Sakurajima volcano, Japan (2020)
Journal Article
Covey, J., Horwell, C., Ogawa, R., Baba, T., Nishimura, S., Hagino, M., & Merli, C. (2020). Community perceptions of protective practices to prevent ash exposures around Sakurajima volcano, Japan. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 46, Article 101525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101525

Whilst, globally, volcanic eruptions are unusual and cause anxiety in affected communities, people living near Sakurajima volcano, Japan are exposed to frequent ashfall with little-to-no official intervention. As part of a wider project, this study a... Read More about Community perceptions of protective practices to prevent ash exposures around Sakurajima volcano, Japan.

Assessment of leachable elements in volcanic ashfall: A review and evaluation of a standardized protocol for ash hazard characterization (2019)
Journal Article
Stewart, C., Damby, D., Tomašek, I., Horwell, C., Plumlee, G., Armienta, M., …Morman, S. (2020). Assessment of leachable elements in volcanic ashfall: A review and evaluation of a standardized protocol for ash hazard characterization. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 392, Article 106756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2019.106756

Volcanic ash presents a widespread and common hazard during and after eruptions. Complex interactions between solid ash surfaces and volcanic gases lead to the formation of soluble salts that may be mobilized in aqueous environments. A variety of sta... Read More about Assessment of leachable elements in volcanic ashfall: A review and evaluation of a standardized protocol for ash hazard characterization.

Facemask use for community protection from air pollution disasters: An ethical overview and framework to guide agency decision making (2019)
Journal Article
McDonald, F., Horwell, C., Wecker, R., Dominelli, L., Loh, M., Kamanyire, R., & Ugarte, C. (2020). Facemask use for community protection from air pollution disasters: An ethical overview and framework to guide agency decision making. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 43, Article 101376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101376

Disasters involving severe air pollution episodes create a pressing public health issue. During such emergencies, there may be pressure on agencies to provide solutions to protect affected communities. One possible intervention to reduce exposure dur... Read More about Facemask use for community protection from air pollution disasters: An ethical overview and framework to guide agency decision making.

Assessment of the potential for in-plume sulphur dioxide gas-ash interactions to influence the respiratory toxicity of volcanic ash (2019)
Journal Article
Tomašek, I., Damby, D., Horwell, C., Ayris, P., Delmelle, P., Ottley, C., …Rothen-Rutishauser, B. (2019). Assessment of the potential for in-plume sulphur dioxide gas-ash interactions to influence the respiratory toxicity of volcanic ash. Environmental Research, 179(Part A), Article 108798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108798

Background: Volcanic plumes are complex environments composed of gases and ash particles, where chemical and physical processes occur at different temperature and compositional regimes. Commonly, soluble sulphate- and chloride-bearing salts are forme... Read More about Assessment of the potential for in-plume sulphur dioxide gas-ash interactions to influence the respiratory toxicity of volcanic ash.

The puzzling issue of silica toxicity: are silanols bridging the gaps between surface states and pathogenicity? (2019)
Journal Article
Pavan, C., Delle Piane, M., Gullo, M., Filippi, F., Fubini, B., Hoet, P., …Turci, F. (2019). The puzzling issue of silica toxicity: are silanols bridging the gaps between surface states and pathogenicity?. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 16(1), Article 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-019-0315-3

Background: Silica continues to represent an intriguing topic of fundamental and applied research across various scientific fields, from geology to physics, chemistry, cell biology, and particle toxicology. The pathogenic activity of silica is variab... Read More about The puzzling issue of silica toxicity: are silanols bridging the gaps between surface states and pathogenicity?.

Factors motivating the use of respiratory protection against volcanic ashfall : a comparative analysis of communities in Japan, Indonesia and Mexico (2019)
Journal Article
Covey, J., Horwell, C., Rachmawati, L., Ogawa, R., Martin-del Pozzo, A., Armienta, M., …Dominelli, L. (2019). Factors motivating the use of respiratory protection against volcanic ashfall : a comparative analysis of communities in Japan, Indonesia and Mexico. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 35, Article 101066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101066

Communities living near active volcanoes may be exposed to respiratory hazards from volcanic ash. Understanding their perception of the risks and the actions they take to mitigate against those risks is important for developing effective communicatio... Read More about Factors motivating the use of respiratory protection against volcanic ashfall : a comparative analysis of communities in Japan, Indonesia and Mexico.

Health Interventions in Volcanic Eruptions—Community Wearability Assessment of Respiratory Protection against Volcanic Ash from Mt Sinabung, Indonesia (2018)
Journal Article
Galea, K., Covey, J., Mutia Timur, S., Horwell, C., Nugroho, F., & Mueller, W. (2018). Health Interventions in Volcanic Eruptions—Community Wearability Assessment of Respiratory Protection against Volcanic Ash from Mt Sinabung, Indonesia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(11), Article 2359. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112359

Inhalation of ash can be of great concern for affected communities, during and after volcanic eruptions. Governmental and humanitarian agencies recommend and distribute a variety of respiratory protection (RP), commonly surgical masks but, also, indu... Read More about Health Interventions in Volcanic Eruptions—Community Wearability Assessment of Respiratory Protection against Volcanic Ash from Mt Sinabung, Indonesia.

The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation. Part I: Filtration efficiency tests (2018)
Journal Article
Mueller, W., Horwell, C., Apsley, A., Steinle, S., McPherson, S., Cherrie, J., & Galea, K. (2018). The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation. Part I: Filtration efficiency tests. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 221(6), 967-976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.03.012

During volcanic eruptions and their aftermath, communities may be concerned about the impacts of inhaling volcanic ash. Access to effective respiratory protection (RP) is therefore important for many people in volcanic areas all over the world. Howev... Read More about The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation. Part I: Filtration efficiency tests.

Effectiveness of face masks used to protect Beijing residents against particulate air pollution (2018)
Journal Article
Cherrie, J., Apsley, A., Cowie, H., Steinle, S., Mueller, W., Lin, C., …Loh, M. (2018). Effectiveness of face masks used to protect Beijing residents against particulate air pollution. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 75(6), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2017-104765

Objectives Many residents in Beijing use disposable face masks in an attempt to protect their health from high particulate matter (PM) concentrations. Retail masks may be certified to local or international standards, but their real-life performance... Read More about Effectiveness of face masks used to protect Beijing residents against particulate air pollution.

The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation; Part II: Total inward leakage tests (2018)
Journal Article
Steinle, S., Sleeuwenhoek, A., Mueller, W., Horwell, C., Apsley, A., Davis, A., …Galea, K. (2018). The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation; Part II: Total inward leakage tests. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 221(6), 977-984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.03.011

Inhalation of ash can be of great concern for affected communities, during and after volcanic eruptions. Governmental and humanitarian agencies recommend and distribute a variety of respiratory protection (RP), most commonly surgical masks. However,... Read More about The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation; Part II: Total inward leakage tests.

Respiratory hazard assessment of combined exposure to complete gasoline exhaust and respirable volcanic ash in a multicellular human lung model at the air-liquid interface (2018)
Journal Article
Tomašek, I., Horwell, C., Bisig, C., Damby, D., Comte, P., Czerwinskid, J., …Rothen-Rutishauser, B. (2018). Respiratory hazard assessment of combined exposure to complete gasoline exhaust and respirable volcanic ash in a multicellular human lung model at the air-liquid interface. Environmental Pollution, 238, 977-987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.115

Communities resident in urban areas located near active volcanoes can experience volcanic ash exposures during, and following, an eruption, in addition to sustained exposures to high concentrations of anthropogenic air pollutants (e.g., vehicle exhau... Read More about Respiratory hazard assessment of combined exposure to complete gasoline exhaust and respirable volcanic ash in a multicellular human lung model at the air-liquid interface.

Volcanic Ash Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Murine and Human Macrophages (2018)
Journal Article
Damby, D., Horwell, C., Baxter, P., Kueppers, U., Schnurr, M., Dingwell, D., & Duewell, P. (2018). Volcanic Ash Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Murine and Human Macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, Article 2000. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.02000

Volcanic ash is a heterogeneous mineral dust that is typically composed of a mixture of amorphous (glass) and crystalline (mineral) fragments. It commonly contains an abundance of the crystalline silica (SiO2) polymorph cristobalite. Inhalation of cr... Read More about Volcanic Ash Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Murine and Human Macrophages.

The effect of aluminium and sodium impurities on the in vitro toxicity and pro-inflammatory potential of cristobalite (2017)
Journal Article
Nattrass, C., Horwell, C., Damby, D., Brown, D., & Stone, V. (2017). The effect of aluminium and sodium impurities on the in vitro toxicity and pro-inflammatory potential of cristobalite. Environmental Research, 159, 164-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.07.054

Background: Exposure to crystalline silica (SiO2), in the form of quartz, tridymite or cristobalite, can cause respiratory diseases, such as silicosis. However, the observed toxicity and pathogenicity of crystalline silica is highly variable. This ha... Read More about The effect of aluminium and sodium impurities on the in vitro toxicity and pro-inflammatory potential of cristobalite.

Assessment of the potential respiratory hazard of volcanic ash from future Icelandic eruptions: a study of archived basaltic to rhyolitic ash samples (2017)
Journal Article
Damby, D., Horwell, C., Larsen, G., Thordarson, T., Tomatis, M., Fubini, B., & Donaldson, K. (2017). Assessment of the potential respiratory hazard of volcanic ash from future Icelandic eruptions: a study of archived basaltic to rhyolitic ash samples. Environmental Health, 16, Article 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-017-0302-9

Background: The eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull (2010) and Grímsvötn (2011), Iceland, triggered immediate, international consideration of the respiratory health hazard of inhaling volcanic ash, and prompted the need to estimate the potential hazard pos... Read More about Assessment of the potential respiratory hazard of volcanic ash from future Icelandic eruptions: a study of archived basaltic to rhyolitic ash samples.

The iron-catalysed surface reactivity and health-pertinent physical characteristics of explosive volcanic ash from Mt. Etna, Italy (2017)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Sargent, P., Andronico, D., Lo Castro, M., Tomatis, M., Hillman, S., …Fubini, B. (2017). The iron-catalysed surface reactivity and health-pertinent physical characteristics of explosive volcanic ash from Mt. Etna, Italy. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 6(1), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-017-0063-8

Mount Etna is Europe’s largest and most active volcano. In recent years, it has displayed enhanced explosive activity, causing concern amongst local inhabitants who frequently have to live with, and clean up, substantial ashfall. Basaltic volcanic as... Read More about The iron-catalysed surface reactivity and health-pertinent physical characteristics of explosive volcanic ash from Mt. Etna, Italy.

Use of respiratory protection in Yogyakarta during the 2014 eruption of Kelud, Indonesia: Community and agency perspectives (2017)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Ferdiwijaya, D., Wahyudi, T., & Dominelli, L. (2019). Use of respiratory protection in Yogyakarta during the 2014 eruption of Kelud, Indonesia: Community and agency perspectives. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 382, 92-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.06.004

The 2014 explosive eruption of Kelud volcano, Indonesia ejected fine-grained volcanic ash in a plume which travelled westwards across the island of Java. In Yogyakarta, without warning, up to 5 cm of ash was deposited within a few hours. This paper i... Read More about Use of respiratory protection in Yogyakarta during the 2014 eruption of Kelud, Indonesia: Community and agency perspectives.

Combined exposure of diesel exhaust particles and respirable Soufrière Hills volcanic ash causes a (pro-)inflammatory response in an in vitro multicellular epithelial tissue barrier model (2016)
Journal Article
Tomašek, I., Horwell, C., Damby, D., Barošová, H., Geers, C., Petri-Fink, A., …Clift, M. (2016). Combined exposure of diesel exhaust particles and respirable Soufrière Hills volcanic ash causes a (pro-)inflammatory response in an in vitro multicellular epithelial tissue barrier model. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 13(1), Article 67. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-016-0178-9

Background: There are justifiable health concerns regarding the potential adverse effects associated with human exposure to volcanic ash (VA) particles, especially when considering communities living in urban areas already exposed to heightened air p... Read More about Combined exposure of diesel exhaust particles and respirable Soufrière Hills volcanic ash causes a (pro-)inflammatory response in an in vitro multicellular epithelial tissue barrier model.

Particulate matter produced during commercial sugarcane harvesting and processing: a respiratory health hazard? (2016)
Journal Article
Le Blond, J., Woskie, S., Horwell, C., & Williamson, B. (2017). Particulate matter produced during commercial sugarcane harvesting and processing: a respiratory health hazard?. Atmospheric Environment, 149, 34-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.11.012

Emissions from sugarcane burning are known to impact on the respiratory health of sugar estate workers and local populations. Despite this, there have been few studies on occupational and ambient exposures and risks from airborne particulate matter (... Read More about Particulate matter produced during commercial sugarcane harvesting and processing: a respiratory health hazard?.

Health Impacts of Volcanic Eruptions (2015)
Book Chapter
Horwell, C., Baxter, P., & Kamanyire, R. (2015). Health Impacts of Volcanic Eruptions. In S. Loughlin, C. Vye-Brown, R. Sparks, S. Brown, & S. Jenkins (Eds.), Global Volcanic Hazards and Risk. Cambridge University Press

Impacts of eruptions on human health (2015)
Book Chapter
Baxter, P., & Horwell, C. (2015). Impacts of eruptions on human health. In H. Sigurdsson, B. Houghton, S. McNutt, H. Rymer, & J. Stix (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes. (2nd). Elsevier

The in vitro respiratory toxicity of cristobalite-bearing volcanic ash (2015)
Journal Article
Damby, D., Murphy, F., Horwell, C., Raftis, J., & Donaldson, K. (2016). The in vitro respiratory toxicity of cristobalite-bearing volcanic ash. Environmental Research, 145, 74-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2015.11.020

Ash from dome-forming volcanoes poses a unique hazard to millions of people worldwide due to an abundance of respirable cristobalite, a crystalline silica polymorph. Crystalline silica is an established respiratory hazard in other mixed dusts, but it... Read More about The in vitro respiratory toxicity of cristobalite-bearing volcanic ash.

The global variability of diatomaceous earth toxicity: a physicochemical and in vitro investigation (2015)
Journal Article
Nattrass, C., Horwell, C., Damby, D., Kermanizadeh, A., Brown, D., & Stone, V. (2015). The global variability of diatomaceous earth toxicity: a physicochemical and in vitro investigation. Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London. Online), 10, Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-015-0064-7

Background: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is mined globally and is potentially of occupational respiratory health concern due to the high crystalline silica content in processed material. DE toxicity, in terms of variability related to global source and pr... Read More about The global variability of diatomaceous earth toxicity: a physicochemical and in vitro investigation.

Respirable volcanic ash is distinct mineralogically, physicochemically and toxicologically from soils originating from weathered volcanic products. A comment on Cervini-Silva et al. (2014) “Lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity induced by respirable volcanic ash” (2014)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Damby, D., & Hillier, S. (2015). Respirable volcanic ash is distinct mineralogically, physicochemically and toxicologically from soils originating from weathered volcanic products. A comment on Cervini-Silva et al. (2014) “Lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity induced by respirable volcanic ash”. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 285, 366-367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.10.059

The α-β phase transition in volcanic cristobalite (2014)
Journal Article
Damby, D., Llewellin, E., Horwell, C., Williamson, B., Najorka, J., Cressey, G., & Carpenter, M. (2014). The α-β phase transition in volcanic cristobalite. Journal of Applied Crystallography, 47(4), 1205-1215. https://doi.org/10.1107/s160057671401070x

Cristobalite is a common mineral in volcanic ash produced from dome-forming eruptions. Assessment of the respiratory hazard posed by volcanic ash requires understanding the nature of the cristobalite it contains. Volcanic cristobalite contains couple... Read More about The α-β phase transition in volcanic cristobalite.

Controls on variations in cristobalite abundance in ash generated by the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat in the period 1997-2010 (2014)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Hillman, S., Cole, P., Loughlin, S., Llewellin, E., Damby, D., & Christopher, T. (2014). Controls on variations in cristobalite abundance in ash generated by the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat in the period 1997-2010. Memoirs, 39, 399-406. https://doi.org/10.1144/m39.21

The Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV) crystallizes cristobalite (crystalline silica) in its lava domes, and inhalation of cristobalite-rich ash may pose a chronic respiratory hazard. We investigate the causes of variation in cristobalite abundance (measu... Read More about Controls on variations in cristobalite abundance in ash generated by the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat in the period 1997-2010.

The respiratory health hazard of tephra from the 2010 Centennial eruption of Merapi with implications for occupational mining of deposits (2013)
Journal Article
Damby, D., Horwell, C., Baxter, P., Delmelle, P., Donaldson, K., Dunster, C., …Tomatis, M. (2013). The respiratory health hazard of tephra from the 2010 Centennial eruption of Merapi with implications for occupational mining of deposits. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 261, 376-387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.09.001

Volcanic emissions and health (2013)
Book Chapter
Weinstein, P., Horwell, C., & Cook, A. (2013). Volcanic emissions and health. In O. Selinus, B. Alloway, J. Centeno, R. Finkelman, R. Fuge, U. Lindh, & P. Smedley (Eds.), Essentials of Medical Geology. (Rev. ed.). Springer Verlag

Physicochemical and toxicological profiling of ash from the 2010 and 2011 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull and Grímsvötn volcanoes, Iceland using a rapid respiratory hazard assessment protocol (2013)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Baxter, P., Hillman, S., Calkins, J., Damby, D., Delmelle, P., …Tomatis, M. (2013). Physicochemical and toxicological profiling of ash from the 2010 and 2011 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull and Grímsvötn volcanoes, Iceland using a rapid respiratory hazard assessment protocol. Environmental Research, 127, 63-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2013.08.011

The six week eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010 produced heavy ash fall in a sparsely populated area of southern and south eastern Iceland and disrupted European commercial flights for at least 6 days. We adopted a protocol for the rapid an... Read More about Physicochemical and toxicological profiling of ash from the 2010 and 2011 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull and Grímsvötn volcanoes, Iceland using a rapid respiratory hazard assessment protocol.

UK monitoring and deposition of tephra from the May 2011 eruption of Grímsvötn, Iceland (2013)
Journal Article
Stevenson, J., Loughlin, S., Font, A., Fuller, G., MacLeod, A., Oliver, I., …Dawson, I. (2013). UK monitoring and deposition of tephra from the May 2011 eruption of Grímsvötn, Iceland. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 2(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-5040-2-3

Mapping the transport and deposition of tephra is important for the assessment of an eruption’s impact on health, transport, vegetation and infrastructure, but it is challenging at large distances from a volcano (> 1000 km), where it may not be visib... Read More about UK monitoring and deposition of tephra from the May 2011 eruption of Grímsvötn, Iceland.

The nature and formation of cristobalite at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat: implications for the petrology and stability of silicic lava domes (2013)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Williamson, B., Llewellin, E., Damby, D., & Le Blond, J. (2013). The nature and formation of cristobalite at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat: implications for the petrology and stability of silicic lava domes. Bulletin of Volcanology, 75, Article 696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-013-0696-3

Cristobalite is commonly found in the dome lava of silicic volcanoes but is not a primary magmatic phase; its presence indicates that the composition and micro-structure of dome lavas evolve during, and after, emplacement. Nine temporally and mineral... Read More about The nature and formation of cristobalite at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat: implications for the petrology and stability of silicic lava domes.

The structure of volcanic cristobalite in relation to its toxicity; relevance for the variable crystalline silica hazard (2012)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Williamson, B., Donaldson, K., Le Blond, J., Damby, D., & Bowen, L. (2012). The structure of volcanic cristobalite in relation to its toxicity; relevance for the variable crystalline silica hazard. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 9, Article 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-8977-9-44

Background: Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) continues to pose a risk to human health worldwide. Its variable toxicity depends on inherent characteristics and external factors which influence surface chemistry. Significant population exposure to R... Read More about The structure of volcanic cristobalite in relation to its toxicity; relevance for the variable crystalline silica hazard.

The surface reactivity and implied toxicity of ash produced from sugarcane burning (2012)
Journal Article
Le Blond, J., Tomatis, M., Horwell, C., Dunster, C., Murphy, F., Corazzari, I., …Fubini, B. (2012). The surface reactivity and implied toxicity of ash produced from sugarcane burning. Environmental Toxicology, 29(5), 503-516. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.21776

Sugarcane combustion generates fine-grained particulate that has the potential to be a respiratory health hazard because of its grain size and composition. In particular, conversion of amorphous silica to crystalline forms during burning may provide... Read More about The surface reactivity and implied toxicity of ash produced from sugarcane burning.

Sakurajima volcano: a physico-chemical study of the health consequences of long-term exposure to volcanic ash (2012)
Journal Article
Hillman, S., Horwell, C., Densmore, A., Damby, D., Fubini, B., Ishimine, Y., & Tomatis, M. (2012). Sakurajima volcano: a physico-chemical study of the health consequences of long-term exposure to volcanic ash. Bulletin of Volcanology, 74(4), 913-930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-012-0575-3

Regular eruptions from Sakurajima volcano, Japan, repeatedly cover local urban areas with volcanic ash. The frequency of exposure of local populations to the ash led to substantial concerns about possible respiratory health hazards, resulting in many... Read More about Sakurajima volcano: a physico-chemical study of the health consequences of long-term exposure to volcanic ash.

Airborne Paricles (2011)
Book Chapter
Derbyshire, E., Horwell, C., Tetley, T., & Jones, T. (2011). Airborne Paricles. In J. Plant, K. Ragnarsdottir, & N. Vouvoulis (Eds.), Pollutants, human health and the environment: Introduction for environmental scientists and health professionals (255-286). Wiley

Mineralogical analyses and in vitro screening tests for the rapid evaluation of the health hazard of volcanic ash at Rabaul volcano, Papua New Guinea (2010)
Journal Article
Le Blond, J., Horwell, C., Baxter, P., Michnowicz, S., Tomatis, M., Fubini, B., …Patia, H. (2010). Mineralogical analyses and in vitro screening tests for the rapid evaluation of the health hazard of volcanic ash at Rabaul volcano, Papua New Guinea. Bulletin of Volcanology, 72(9), 1077-1092. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-010-0382-7

Atmospheric and environmental impacts of volcanic particulates (2010)
Journal Article
Durant, A., Bonadonna, C., & Horwell, C. (2010). Atmospheric and environmental impacts of volcanic particulates. Elements, 6(4), 235-240. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.6.4.235

Volcanic emissions consist of a mixture of gases, aerosol, and silicate particles, which collectively span seven orders of magnitude in size. Airborne ash and sulfate aerosol in the lower atmosphere has short-lived atmospheric and climatic effects. V... Read More about Atmospheric and environmental impacts of volcanic particulates.

Injection of vesicular magma into an andesitic dome at the effusive–explosive transition (2010)
Journal Article
Williamson, B., Di Muro, A., Horwell, C., Spieler, O., & Llewellin, E. (2010). Injection of vesicular magma into an andesitic dome at the effusive–explosive transition. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 295(1-2), 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2010.03.027

A single, vesicular pyroclast collected from a major (11 × 106 m3) dome collapse eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat (21st September 1997) was found to contain textural and Raman evidence for multiple decompression events and magma in... Read More about Injection of vesicular magma into an andesitic dome at the effusive–explosive transition.

Generation of crystalline silica from sugarcane burning (2010)
Journal Article
Le Blond, J., Horwell, C., Williamson, B., & Oppenheimer, C. (2010). Generation of crystalline silica from sugarcane burning. Journal of environmental monitoring, 12(7), 1459-1470. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0em00020e

Sugarcane leaves contain amorphous silica, which may crystallise to form crystalline silica polymorphs (cristobalite or quartz), during commercial sugarcane harvesting where sugarcane plants are burned. Respirable airborne particulate containing thes... Read More about Generation of crystalline silica from sugarcane burning.

A physico-chemical assessment of the health hazard of Mt. Vesuvius volcanic ash (2010)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Stannett, G., Andronico, D., Bertagnini, A., Fenoglio, I., Fubini, B., …Williamson, B. (2010). A physico-chemical assessment of the health hazard of Mt. Vesuvius volcanic ash. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 191(3-4), 222-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.01.014

Mt. Vesuvius, Italy, is regarded as one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes because of the potential for vast numbers of people to be affected by the renewal of volcanic activity; more than 600 000 people live within 10 km of the summit alone. Ve... Read More about A physico-chemical assessment of the health hazard of Mt. Vesuvius volcanic ash.

Cristobalite in a rhyolitic lava dome: Evolution of ash hazard (2010)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Le Blond, J., Michnowicz, S., & Cressey, G. (2010). Cristobalite in a rhyolitic lava dome: Evolution of ash hazard. Bulletin of Volcanology, 72(2), 249-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-009-0327-1

Prolonged and heavy exposure to particles of respirable, crystalline silica-rich volcanic ash could potentially cause chronic, fibrotic disease, such as silicosis, in individuals living in areas of frequent ash fall. Here, we show that the rhyolitic... Read More about Cristobalite in a rhyolitic lava dome: Evolution of ash hazard.

A rapid method for quantifying single mineral phases in heterogeneous natural dusts using X-ray diffraction. (2009)
Journal Article
Le Blond, J., Cressey, G., Horwell, C., & Williamson, B. (2009). A rapid method for quantifying single mineral phases in heterogeneous natural dusts using X-ray diffraction. Powder Diffraction, 24, 17-23. https://doi.org/10.1154/1.3120742

Quantification of potentially toxic single mineral phases in natural dusts of heterogeneous composition is critical for health hazard assessment. For example, crystalline silica, a human carcinogen, can be present as respirable particles in volcanic... Read More about A rapid method for quantifying single mineral phases in heterogeneous natural dusts using X-ray diffraction..

Size distributions of fine silicate and other particles in Masaya's volcanic plume. (2009)
Journal Article
Martin, R., Mather, T., Pyle, D., Power, M., Tsanev, V., Oppenheimer, C., …Ward, E. (2009). Size distributions of fine silicate and other particles in Masaya's volcanic plume. Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008jd011211

Direct-sampling and remote-sensing measurements were made at the crater rim of Masaya volcano (Nicaragua) to sample the aerosol plume emanating from the active vent. We report the first measurements of the size distribution of fine silicate particles... Read More about Size distributions of fine silicate and other particles in Masaya's volcanic plume..

Production of potentially hazardous respirable silica airborne particulate from the burning of sugarcane (2008)
Journal Article
Le Blond, J., Williamson, B., Horwell, C., Monro, A., Kirk, C., & Oppenheimer, C. (2008). Production of potentially hazardous respirable silica airborne particulate from the burning of sugarcane. Atmospheric Environment, 42(22), 5558-5568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.03.018

Sugarcane In some areas of the world where agricultural burning is practised, the airborne particles produced have been linked to respiratory disease in humans. Here, we investigate the abundance and form of silica (SiO2) minerals found within ash an... Read More about Production of potentially hazardous respirable silica airborne particulate from the burning of sugarcane.

Composition-resolved size distributions of volcanic aerosols in the Mt. Etna plumes (2008)
Journal Article
Martin, R., Mather, T., Pyle, D., Power, M., Allen, A., Aiuppa, A., …Ward, E. (2008). Composition-resolved size distributions of volcanic aerosols in the Mt. Etna plumes. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007jd009648

Particle size distributions for soluble and insoluble species in Mt Etna’s summit plumes were measured across an extended size range (10 nm < d < 100 ìm) using a combination of techniques. Automated scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN) was used to... Read More about Composition-resolved size distributions of volcanic aerosols in the Mt. Etna plumes.

Iron-induced hydroxyl radical generation from basaltic volcanic ash (2007)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Fenoglio, I., & Fubini, B. (2007). Iron-induced hydroxyl radical generation from basaltic volcanic ash. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 261(3-4), 662-669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.07.032

Iron-induced hydroxyl radical generation from the surface of volcanic ash particles is a possible mechanism of respiratory toxicity in addition to crystalline-silica induced pathogenicity. Here we show that volcanic ash generates hydroxyl radicals, w... Read More about Iron-induced hydroxyl radical generation from basaltic volcanic ash.

Grain-size analysis of volcanic ash for the rapid assessment of respiratory health hazard (2007)
Journal Article
Horwell, C. (2007). Grain-size analysis of volcanic ash for the rapid assessment of respiratory health hazard. Journal of environmental monitoring, 9, 1107-1115. https://doi.org/10.1039/b710583p

Volcanic ash has the potential to cause acute and chronic respiratory diseases if the particles are sufficiently fine to enter the respiratory system. Characterization of the grain-size distribution (GSD) of volcanic ash is, therefore, a critical fir... Read More about Grain-size analysis of volcanic ash for the rapid assessment of respiratory health hazard.

Contamination of water supplies by volcanic ashfall: A literature review and simple impact modelling. (2006)
Journal Article
Stewart, C., Johnston, D., Leonard, G., Horwell, C., Thordarsson, T., & Cronin, S. (2006). Contamination of water supplies by volcanic ashfall: A literature review and simple impact modelling. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 158(3-4), 296-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.07.002

Volcanic ash is the most widely-distributed product of explosive volcanic eruptions, and can disrupt vital infrastructure on a large scale. Previous studies of effects of ashfall on natural waters and water supplies have focused mainly on the consequ... Read More about Contamination of water supplies by volcanic ashfall: A literature review and simple impact modelling..

The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation. (2006)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., & Baxter, P. (2006). The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation. Bulletin of Volcanology, 69(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-006-0052-y

Studies of the respiratory health effects of different types of volcanic ash have been undertaken only in the last 40 years, and mostly since the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. This review of all published clinical, epidemiological and toxicolog... Read More about The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation..

The health hazards of volcanoes and geothermal areas. (2006)
Journal Article
Hansell, A., Horwell, C., & Oppenheimer, C. (2006). The health hazards of volcanoes and geothermal areas. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63(2), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2005.022459

Volcanoes and their eruptions can result in a wide range of health impacts, arguably more varied than in any other kind of natural disaster. At least 500 million people worldwide live within potential exposure range of a volcano that has been active... Read More about The health hazards of volcanoes and geothermal areas..

Volcanic ash-leachates: a review and recommendations for sampling methods. (2005)
Journal Article
Witham, C., Oppenheimer, C., & Horwell, C. (2005). Volcanic ash-leachates: a review and recommendations for sampling methods. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 141(3-4), 299-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2004.11.010

Tephra in plumes can scavenge and thereby rapidly deposit volatiles including sulphur, halogen and metal species. These may then be leached (e.g. by rainfall), potentially releasing heavy loadings to soils and water bodies. Several eruptions have res... Read More about Volcanic ash-leachates: a review and recommendations for sampling methods..

Evaluation of a novel passive sampling technique for monitoring volcanogenic hydrogen sulphide (2004)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Allen, A., Mather, T., & Patterson, J. (2004). Evaluation of a novel passive sampling technique for monitoring volcanogenic hydrogen sulphide. Journal of environmental monitoring, 6(7), 630-635. https://doi.org/10.1039/b400746h

A novel, low-cost passive sampling procedure for monitoring of volcanogenic hydrogen sulfide is reported. The technique is based on absorption of H2S onto treated sections of photographic paper, which are housed in plastic film canisters during expos... Read More about Evaluation of a novel passive sampling technique for monitoring volcanogenic hydrogen sulphide.

Surface reactivity of volcanic ash from the eruption of Soufrière Hills volcano, Monserrat, West Indies with implications for health hazards (2003)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Fenoglio, I., Ragnarsdottir, K., Sparks, R., & Fubini, B. (2003). Surface reactivity of volcanic ash from the eruption of Soufrière Hills volcano, Monserrat, West Indies with implications for health hazards. Environmental Research, 93(2), 202-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0013-9351%2803%2900044-6

The fine-grained character of volcanic ash generated in the long-lived eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, West Indies, raises the issue of its possible health hazards. Surface- and free-radical production has been closely linked to... Read More about Surface reactivity of volcanic ash from the eruption of Soufrière Hills volcano, Monserrat, West Indies with implications for health hazards.

Characterization of respirable volcanic ash from the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, with implications for human health hazards (2003)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Sparks, R., Brewer, T., Llewellin, E., & Williamson, B. (2003). Characterization of respirable volcanic ash from the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, with implications for human health hazards. Bulletin of Volcanology, 65(5), 346-362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-002-0266-6

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 silico... Read More about Characterization of respirable volcanic ash from the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, with implications for human health hazards.

A geochemical investigation of fragmentation and physical fractionation in pyroclastic flows from from the Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat (2001)
Journal Article
Horwell, C., Braña, L., Sparks, R., Murphy, M., & Hards, V. (2001). A geochemical investigation of fragmentation and physical fractionation in pyroclastic flows from from the Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 109(4), 247-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0377-0273%2800%2900319-x

Abstract Geochemical analysis is used to investigate fragmentation and physical fractionation in pyroclastic flows. Bulk analyses of the matrices (