A series of powerful eruptions by the hyperactive Turrialba volcano have left the Central Valley of Costa Rica coated with ultra-fine ash, prompting savvy street merchants to offer surgical masks at busy pedestrian intersections in the capital city.

Street sales of surgical masks have been brisk in San Jose ever since the Ministry of Public Health (Spanish initials: MSP) issued advisories with regard to how volcanic ash can affect people with certain respiratory conditions. The Costa Rica Star inquired about the price of these disposable surgical masks from two street vendors: one sold for 100 colones (less than $0.25) while another one two blocks down the same avenue sold them for 300 colones (about $0.60) each.

MSP officials recommend that those who must venture outdoors in the districts of Guadalupe and Ipis should try to protect their lungs and skin. Moreover, clothes should be changed after spending more than 30 minutes under the ash clouds or after sweeping balconies, roofs and sidewalks.

Households that store water for drinking should cover the recipients. Pets should stay indoors during periods of heavy ash precipitation.

Although the National Institute of Meteorology (Spanish initials: INM) had forecast a moderately cloudy day for the Central Valley, eruptions by the Turrialba volcano have turned the skies completely gray, and the ground temperature has dropped a couple of degrees Celsius.

Volcanic ash notifications began appearing as early as last night for users of Android mobile devices in Costa Rica who have installed the Google Now app.

Geologists from the National Seismology Network (Spanish initials: RSN) of the University of Costa Rica have explained that magma levels are not rapidly rising at the Turrialba volcano; however, the release of energy has increased to the point that farmhands working on the skirts of the volcano witnessed rocks flying out of the crater this morning.