Effects of Amperage on Electrical Shock

Different amounts of amperage affect the human body in different

ways. The following list explains some of the most common effects of
electrical shock at various amperage levels, according to the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).2 To understand
the amounts involved, a milliampere (mA) is one-thousandth of an
ampere (or amp). A standard household circuit that supplies your
outlets and switches carries 15 or 20 amps (15,000 or 20,000 mA). 

 1 to 5 mA: Little electrical shock is felt. Upsetting, but not

painful.
 6 to 30 mA: Painful shock, loss of muscle control.
 50 to 150 mA: Extreme pain, possible severe muscle reactions,
possible respiratory arrest, and even possible death.
 1,000 mA to 4,300 mA: Heart ceases pumping; nerve damage
and death likely.
  10,000 mA (10 amps): Cardiac arrest, severe burns, and
death.

This gives you an idea of just how much danger there is in the home
wiring system we take for granted, where wires carry 15,000 or
20,000 mA.2

Staying Safe
The best way to prevent electrical shock is to follow standard safety
procedures for all electrical work. Here are some of the most important
basic safety rules:

 Shut off the power: Always turn off the power to a circuit or

device that you will be working on. The most reliable way to shut
off the power is to switch off the breaker for the circuit in the
home's service panel (breaker box).
 Test for power: After turning off a circuit's breaker, check the
wiring or devices you will be working on with a non-contact
voltage tester to confirm the power is off. This is the only way to
be sure you turned off the correct circuit.
 Use insulated ladders: Never use an aluminum ladder for
electrical work. Always use an insulated fiberglass ladder to keep
you safe.
 Stay dry: Avoid wet areas when working around electricity. If
you are outdoors in damp or wet conditions, wear rubber boots
and gloves to reduce the chance of getting shocked. Plug power
tools and appliances into a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter)
outlet or GFCI extension cord. Dry your hands before grabbing
any cord.
 Post warnings: If you are working on the service panel or a
circuit, place a warning label on the face of the panel to warn
others not to turn on any circuits. Before turning the power back
on

Fine Particulates Are Primary Cause of

Volcanic Health Effects
Volcanic ash emitted by volcanos contains small particulates of rock, minerals, and
glass that are so small they can enter your bloodstream and organs. The  particulates
emitted by volcanos are well documented.  volcanic eruptions point to PM2.5 and PM10
sized particulates as the primary reason for the negative health effects seen in nearby
communities.

As seen below, the smaller the particulate entering the body, the greater the danger.
Ash particulates smaller than 4 micrometers can lead to chronic respiratory diseases.

Health Dangers of Volcanic Gases

Gases released by volcanos can also be a danger to humans. The two primary volcanic
gases that can be dangerous to humans at high concentrations are SO 2 and CO2.

Exposure to high levels of SO2 (>1,310 μg/m3) for 3 minutes can induce respiratory

attacks in asthmatic individuals. CO2 can be dangerous in low elevations close to the
eruption. Small pockets with high concentrations of CO2 can form. When concentrations
reach over 15%, CO2 can even be deadly.
Volcanic Ash Exposure Increases Risk
of Respiratory Problems
Studies that examined the health effects of volcanic eruptions on nearby communities
found an increased prevalence of a variety of respiratory issues.

After the Soufrière Hills volcano in the West Indies had been erupting intermittently for
over 2 years, a study examined the effects of volcanic ash on the 440 schoolchildren
(aged 12 years and under). The study found the prevalence of wheeze in the children
who had heavy or moderate exposure to volcanic ash was 3 to 4 times greater than
those who had low exposure.

Assess your volcano risk

Learn about eruption risks in your area by visiting the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) Volcano Hazards Program, which posts up-to-date information about volcanic activity,
including a color-coded risk assessment system for individual volcanoes.

Plan ahead
Good volcano safety planning begins before an eruption actually occurs. Help prepare your
family by creating a disaster preparedness plan that includes a disaster survival kit and an
emergency evacuation plan. Airborne and accumulated ash is a major volcano hazard, so be sure
to include goggles and disposable breathing masks in your disaster kit. Also, the hot gases and
debris from an eruption can increase the risk of fire, so it's especially important to install and
maintain smoke alarms and fire extinguishers in homes within the 20-mile danger zone.

Clear the volcanic danger zone

The first thing to do during an eruption is tune in to up-to-the-minute information on a battery-
powered radio. Volcanoes can produce a number of quickly moving hazards including flying
debris, hot gases, lava and mudslides. If authorities issue an evacuation order, collect your family
and your disaster kit and leave the area immediately.
During an evacuation, try to avoid valleys and low-lying areas where flowing hazards, such as
mudslides, might converge and accumulate. If there is ash buildup on the roadway, keep your
speed below 35 miles per hour to avoid slipping.

Protect against volcano ash

Airborne and accumulated ash can significantly impact places as far as 100 miles from an
eruption. Whenever ash is present, breathe through your emergency mask or hold a damp cloth
over your nose and mouth. Protect your eyes with goggles. It's also a good idea to wear long
pants and a long-sleeved shirt because ash may be hot or otherwise irritate the skin.

If your home lies within an ash fallout zone, take steps to keep as much ash as possible from
entering the building. This includes closing and/or blocking all exterior windows, doors,
chimneys and vents. Place towels under the door and in other gaps. As an added precaution, you
may want to cover interior items such as furniture, appliances and sensitive electronic
equipment. Cover exterior and garaged vehicles as well.

Keep in mind that volcanic ash is much more destructive than ordinary dust. Even fine ash can
have a jagged structure that will scratch glass, metal and other materials. To remove dust from
exterior home surfaces, use free-flowing water from a hose. Interior ash should be removed with
a vacuum cleaner

Volcano damage and insurance

Examine your homeowner’s policy to make sure you have property coverage for the damages
related to it. Learn more about volcano damage and insurance coverage or contact an insurance
agent for more information.