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A cloud of smoke hangs in the air above the volcano on La Palma
Photo: Marcos del Mazo / Getty Images
The volcano on La Palma has been spitting smoke, lava and ash for a month.
And apparently there are increasing concerns in Germany that poisonous volcanic clouds could move from La Palma to the northeast over the Federal Republic.
According to the German Weather Service, numerous people have contacted the authority.
"The telephone wires have been running hot since six in the morning," said a spokesman.
No pollutants can be measured near the ground
In fact, very high concentrations of certain substances are currently being measured in the atmosphere, including the gas sulfur dioxide.
But: No increased levels of pollutants can be measured at measuring stations close to the ground - there is "next to nothing".
According to the Federal Environment Agency, sulfur dioxide limits apply throughout Europe to protect human health.
The 1-hour limit is 350 micrograms per cubic meter and may not be exceeded more than 24 times a year.
The daily limit of 125 micrograms per cubic meter must not be exceeded more than three times in a calendar year.
According to the German Meteorological Service, the gas in the atmosphere does not pose a health risk; it is "dry-cleaned".
In the case of precipitation, the rain could be "a little more acidic" than usual, it said.
The pH of acid rain is below 5.5, which is the natural value for rainwater.
Acid rain is primarily caused by acid-forming gases such as sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides.
The expected slightly lower pH value does not pose any particular threat to the environment: "20 or 30 years ago we had such pH values regularly," says the German Weather Service.
The volcano is still active
The problem with volcanic clouds is greater elsewhere, because the end of the volcano's activity on La Palma is still not in sight. However, the escaping gases are currently not leaving due to the weather. According to a report in the newspaper "La Vanguardia", the local authorities called on around 7,000 residents of El Paso not to leave their homes if possible.
At the same time, a second, more northerly lava flow is about to reach the sea, as the state TV broadcaster RTVE reported.
He is only 30 meters away from the cliff.
Almost three weeks ago the main current reached the Atlantic a little further south on its way through the valley of Aridane and has since formed a new headland in the sea.
As then, the authorities are now again warning that if the lava, which is around 1000 degrees Celsius hot, comes into contact with the salty seawater, toxic fumes could be formed.
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Since the volcano, which still has no official name, became active again in September for the first time in 50 years, almost 2,000 buildings and around 800 hectares of land have been destroyed.
Thousands of people have had to leave their homes since September 19.
According to official information, the damage amounts to at least 400 million euros.
Flight operations were resumed on Monday after a two-day interruption.
However, there were many delays on Tuesday due to the difficult conditions.
The ashes from the volcano in particular are dangerous for aircraft engines.
vki / dpa