Prone to Being Exposed to Volcanic Ash, People are Expected to Continue Wearing Masks Following Mount Semeru's Eruption

December 06, 2021 - ( update : 14-01-2022 )

By Adi Permana

Editor Adi Permana

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id—Mount Semeru erupted on Saturday (4/12/2021) afternoon, spewing volcanic ash material. Volcanic ash should be avoided because it is hazardous to one's health. However, people commonly fail to wear masks when fleeing volcanic eruptions.

"Cement-rich volcanic ash will quickly adhere to wet media. When we breathe in volcanic ash, it sticks and prints in our wet lungs, and the oxygen content is high. This can lead to acute respiratory problems," ITB Volcanologist, Dr.Eng. Mirzam Abdurrachman, S.T., M.T., told ITB Communication and Public Relations Bureau on Sunday (5/12/2021).

He urged people affected by Mount Semeru's material to always use a mask or a moistened cloth as a nose cover to avoid the consequences of the volcanic ash.

Furthermore, Dr. Mirzam stated that, based on previous volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, most people still trust the local volcano caretaker more. Not everyone who lives on a volcano's slopes has access to the internet and can interpret the results of monitoring volcanic activity from professionals.

"This is a special mention. Because they are objects that must be informed, the general public must continue to be educated. At the very least, the community can do self-mitigation and understand the signs of an erupting volcano. Otherwise, the past's mistakes and great losses will be repeated", he concluded.

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Translator: Sekar Dianwidi Bisowarno (Bioengineering, 2019)