Toxic ash threatens Iceland animals

Farmers in southern Iceland have been racing to protect their animals from being poisoned by volcanic dust.The animals are at risk of fluoride poisoning if they inhale or ingest the ash, leading to internal bleeding, long-term bone damage and teeth loss.Sheep, cattle and horses were rushed to shelter after they got lost in a fog of ash in areas near an erupting volcano.Areas south of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano have been caked in a layer of grey ash some 10cm (four inches) thick.Ponds have turned into pools of cement-like mud and geese have had trouble flying because their wings are heavy with ash, media reports say.
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