Unusual glass needles cause concerns at Reykjanesbær swimming pool in Iceland

In recent days, the Reykjanesbær swimming pool has been grappling with an unusual problem: the influx of fine, hair-like glass needles known as “nornahár,” believed to originate from recent volcanic activity in the region. The pool’s technical manager, Sigurður Þórsson, initially mistook the material for tangled hair, expressing confusion over its coarse texture when he discovered the filters filled with these shards.

Nornahár are slender glass needles that were formed during the eruption from Stóra-Skógfell and have been carried to Reykjanesbær by the wind. Hafsteinn Ingibergsson, director of sports facilities for Reykjanesbær, noted that such a phenomenon has never been witnessed before and is likely linked to increased volcanic activity compared to previous eruptions. He mentioned that while the pool is equipped with advanced filtration systems designed to handle such debris, there have already been instances of minor injuries, with two to three people affected by the glass particles.

Concerns have been raised among residents, with reports of the nornahár scratching car surfaces and clogging air filters in vehicles. The local health inspectorate has advised schools to remove or blow away the glass needles if necessary, warning that they can easily penetrate the skin and have caused minor cuts in children playing on inflatable trampolines.

Experts insist that while nornahár can be harmful if ingested or contacted with eyes, they are not inherently dangerous if left undisturbed. However, the potential for injuries has led to serious discussions about temporarily closing the pool if the situation worsens.