A health survey of Montserratians relocated to the UK

Many Montserratians relocated to the UK following the volcanic eruption in 1995. The aim of this study (funded by the Department of Health) was to obtain early warning of any increased risk of respiratory ill-health among them that might be associated with exposure to volcanic dust on the island. The target study group comprised all Montserratians registered with the Montserrat Community Support Trust in the UK. Following a two-phase pilot study, data were collected by postal questionnaire on personal details, respiratory symptom occurrence, smoking habit, occupation and potential exposure to volcanic ash. Questionnaires were completed by 465 respondents (response rate 25%). Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the study group was somewhat higher than in the general UK population. We think this is due in part to the effects of moving to a new country with different climate and population immunities. There was also plausible evidence of an association between the occurrence of symptoms and exposure from heavy ash clearing activities in Montserrat, but no evidence that other ash exposures (residential, house cleaning) increased symptom occurrence.