http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/15/iceland.flights/ I went to the supermarket and paid with a Bank of Iceland credit card the cashier asked if I wanted ash back Volcanic Ash Becomes a serious problem if it falls as ‘dirty rain’; remove ash from your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Prolonged exposure to volcanic ash and dust can damage the paint and glass as it is very abrasive. Carefully wash the ash from your vehicle with a stream of water from a garden hose. Never dry-wipe, brush or mop the ash or dust that accumulates on your vehicle or windows. Avoid prolonged driving in airborne or accumulated volcanic ash. Volcanic ash or dust can cause severe damage to your engine. If your vehicle is exposed to volcanic ash, change your air filter and have your vehicle checked by a qualified auto mechanic as soon as possible. Avoid using windshield wipers if at all possible as glass scratching may occur. Replace any windshield wiper blades that are damaged from the effects of the fallout. Volcanic ash (by itself) is not poisonous, but inhaling it may cause problems for people whose respiratory system is already compromised by disorders such as asthma or emphysema. The abrasive texture can cause irritation and scratching of the surface of the eyes. People who wear contact lenses should wear glasses during an ash fall, to prevent eye damage. Furthermore, the combination of volcanic ash with moisture in the lungs can create a substance akin to liquid cement.
