Icelandic volcano ashes dangerous for asthmatic people - WHO

Ashes from the volcanic eruption in Iceland may be dangerous if inhaled for people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, the World Health Organization said.

"People with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema or bronchitis may be more susceptible to irritation if ash is in the lower atmosphere in high concentrations," the WHO said on its website.

The eruption of the volcano on the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier in Iceland, which began on Wednesday, has already paralyzed air traffic in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and the majority of Nordic countries.

WHO said the analysis of the ash from the volcano shows that 25% of the ash particles are smaller than 10 microns in size and it is dangerous for human lungs.

"The small particulates less than 10 microns in size are more dangerous because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs," Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and Environment Department at WHO, was quoted as saying.

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti)