Ash from Chilean volcano affects visibility in Santa Catarina.
Ash from the Chilean volcano Puyehue has reached Rio Grande do Sul and is affecting visibility in much of Santa Catarina; the recommendation is that the population stay hydrated, drinking at least 2 liters of water per day, and avoid unnecessary physical exertion.
Agência Brasil – Curitiba – After passing through the central region and the coast of Argentina and Uruguay, the ashes from the Chilean volcano Puyehue reached Rio Grande do Sul and, since yesterday (18), have affected visibility in much of Santa Catarina. The information is from the Environmental Resources and Hydrometeorology Information Center of Santa Catarina (Ciram).
A particle estimator (measuring instrument) from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) confirms the presence of ash in southern Brazil. Meteorologist Beatriz Porto, from the Paraná meteorological service (SIMEPAR), said that the possibility of these particles reaching the state in the coming hours cannot be ruled out. “But this possibility is very remote, because Paraná is further away. Everything will depend on the direction of the winds at high levels of the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of our atmosphere.”
Meteorologist Gil Russo, from the National Institute of Meteorology in Porto Alegre, said that, for now, it is not possible to see the ash particles "with the naked eye," as was the case throughout yesterday, but that this situation changes rapidly, depending on the wind direction.
According to Ciram, the ash was carried by the polar jet stream from its source. With the stability of the air at lower levels, due to the high-pressure system acting over much of Argentina, Uruguay, and the Southern Region of Brazil, "the volcanic ash ends up becoming part of the dry haze, from the midwest to the coast of Santa Catarina." Normally, dry haze is formed by suspended dust particles when the air is very dry.
The State Environmental Protection Foundation (Fepam) in Rio Grande do Sul warns that the concentration of inhalable particles has increased in the last few hours of this Tuesday (18), probably due to ash from the Puyehue Volcano. The measured value exceeds the quality limits established by Resolution No. 03/1990, of the National Environment Council.
According to the State Center for Health Surveillance, although the current situation does not represent a major problem, people more vulnerable to the impacts caused by air pollution (those with lung disease, heart disease, children, and the elderly) should take some precautions. These individuals are more susceptible to problems due to ash.
The Environmental Health Surveillance team related to Air Quality reports that it will continue to monitor the situation, recommends that the population stay hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water per day, and avoid unnecessary physical exertion (especially those groups most vulnerable to air pollution).
Patients with lung and heart conditions should pay extra attention to the use of their usual medications and follow medical recommendations to prevent symptoms from worsening and the disease from becoming more severe. Those with asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis, and emphysema should also maintain their routine medications to control these illnesses so that symptoms do not worsen. Those who wear contact lenses should be aware of the possibility of increased eye dryness.