SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Dec. 13 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Directorate of Security and Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands, based on the information available, and in application of the Special Plan for Civil Protection and Attention to Emergencies due to Volcanic Risk in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (Pevolca), has warned this Monday of that the air quality is extremely unfavorable in Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso and Tazacorte, on the island of La Palma, due to the levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) derived from the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on said island.
Specifically, it is stated in a statement that in these three municipalities the hourly levels of 750 ug / m3 of sulfur dioxide are exceeded at the El Paso station at 0800 hours this Monday, December 13, associated with the emissions derived of volcanic activity (values of 1,522 ug / m3 are recorded).
The population sensitive to these levels indicates that they are people with previous respiratory or cardiac diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema; children, pregnant women and the elderly; or people who perform vigorous physical activity.
They add that the probable symptoms of affection by an extremely unfavorable quality of the air center in the irritation of eyes, nose or throat; difficulty breathing deeply; worsening of symptoms in people with previous respiratory or cardiac diseases.
For this reason, risk groups and sensitive populations are recommended to avoid prolonged stay outdoors; follow the medical treatment plan, if applicable, meticulously, and go to an emergency department if your health condition worsens.
However, it recommends that the general population reduce all outdoor activities and consider doing indoor activities or postponing them until when the air quality is good or reasonably good, as well as using adequate protection for the jobs that must be carried out in the open air; and be attentive to the instructions they receive from the civil protection authorities.
Finally, they point out that for any emergency you should call the emergency telephone number of the Government of the Canary Islands 112 and for inquiries to 012.