Breakthrough in research.

NEW research by a Durham University expert could help save lives following volcanic eruptions.

Dr Claire Horwell, of the University's Institute of Hazard and Risk Research has devised a new, rapid and cheap way of estimating the potential risk posed to human health by volcanic ash.

Her research, funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and published in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring, could help shape emergency response plans following an eruption and cut the possible risk to human health.

Although medical research is on-going, volcanic ash is thought to trigger attacks of acute respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis.

Medical studies to assess the risk from the ash following an eruption can take years.

Dr Howell has developed a sieving technique which analyses the grain size of volcanic ash to determine its possible threat to many thousands of humans affected by the estimated 70 volcanic eruptions which happen worldwide each year.

Dr Horwell, who is also coordinator of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, said: "We need a rapid way to assess the hazard to human health from volcanic ash."