Mayon residents face another threat

Government health authorities were urged yesterday to watch out for the possible upsurge of a potentially fatal respiratory disease among residents affected by the Mayon eruption.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Raymundo Punongbayan said foreign medical experts have warned of a possible rise in the number of silicosis as a result of Mayon eruption.

Government health experts said silicosis is a pulmonary disease caused by inhalation of dust containing free silica, a raw material of cement.

Engr. Anna Francisco, industrial hygienist, said silicosis can cause difficulty in breathing and eventually lead to death if not treated properly.

Silicosis is common among workers of cement factories but Francisco noted that ashfall from volcano eruption is considered a more serious factor than cement.

"Ashfall is more dangerous because it contains other toxic chemicals that can cause serious health reactions when inhaled," Francisco pointed out.

Francisco said symptoms of silicosis are similar to those of other respiratory infections but the disease manifests itself 15 years after inhalation of the toxic substance.