Iceland review - 2015, Side 33

ICELAND REVIEW 31
erUPtioN
picked up by scientists and levels in built-up areas reached
21,000 mµ/m3 in Höfn in late October. The gas has even
reached Reykjavík, so far peaking at 3,500 mµ/m3. at levels
above 2,000 mµ/m3 remaining indoors with the windows
closed and heaters on is advised.
“We take good care of ourselves because we’re here for a
long time. We try to monitor our exposure and keep it low
because of the possible cumulative effects of long term or
multiple exposures. It’s perhaps not bad to be in the pollu-
tion for a few minutes but for 24 hours it’s bad. and the wind
direction is always changing. people come out of the hut
here and think the pollution isn’t that bad but when they get
up to the site, it can be really bad. and it isn’t just the wind
direction that matters, because there are pools of gas that
float around too,” Sigurður, the ranger, explains.
Traveling to the site is at our own risk, but the police are
sure to remind us of the dangers. “you can feel it before the
gas meter goes off so it’s good to have the gas mask with
you all the time,” Sigurður Betúel tells us. The area down
by the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, where the lava is running