Posted on: Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Volcanic haze likely to linger
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Blame the volcano. That ugly, blue sky-blotting haze that smothered O'ahu yesterday was vog.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser "This is more Mother Nature than man-made," said Lisa Young, an environmental health specialist with the health department's Clean Air Branch.
Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, releases a variety of gases, including sulfur dioxide. Such pollution can be irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
The health department has 15 air-quality monitoring stations statewide, including eight on O'ahu, but they were unnecessary yesterday. Young said the vog was "quite heavy."
"And because there is hardly any wind, it is hanging around," she said.
Claudia Clement, program associate for the American Lung Association of Hawaii, said the vog presents problems for people with respiratory problems.
Clement said the association has received some calls from people asking for tips, and she knows that doctors and emergency rooms are hearing from people as well. "It's a trigger for asthma," and other respiratory ailments, she said.
The struggle with vog also serves as a reminder that people in Hawai'i should prepare for similar conditions associated with fireworks celebrations ushering in the New Year. "This is a wake-up call for what happens every New Year's Eve because of fireworks," she said.
Health officials issued a no-burn notice to O'ahu, Maui and Big Island farmers who have permits to burn agricultural waste, Young said.
The vog will be around as long as the state's trade winds are absent.
The trade winds have been light to nonexistent since Oct. 23, giving rise to sticky, humid conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters predict the trade winds will return for a single, light day — tomorrow — before disappearing again until sometime next week.
Southeasterly winds typically bring in vog from the Big Island, but the weather service doesn't monitor that.
"It looks like since Monday the winds have been southeast and that is a typical direction to bring it up to us," said Jonathan Hoag, a meteorologist with the weather service. "And a pilot today said he could see it over Lanikai at a low level. I don't know whether it is truly vog or what."
Advertiser staff writer Robbie Dingeman contributed to this report. Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012. • • • Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, releases many gases, including sulfur dioxide, which reacts in the air to form vog. While the amount varies, Kilauea typically releases about 1,000 metric tons of sulfur dioxide daily. The gas reacts with other chemicals in the air to form both liquid and solid particles. These particles scatter light, making the air appear hazy. It is this pollution that we see and call vog, and which can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. BREATHING EASIER If vog is heavy, take these precautions, especially if you suffer from a chronic breathing problem such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema: • Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. • Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus and help you cough. • Stay indoors and use an air-conditioner, if possible. • Keep needed medications nearby. • Avoid people who have colds or other lung infections. • Assume that your lung condition may deteriorate during periods of vog. Therefore, contact your physician as soon as any problem develops. Do not allow a respiratory condition to linger, especially if there is a high concentration of vog. • A paper, gauze or non-toxic dust mask may be helpful. Moistening it with a solution of baking soda and water may improve filtration of the irritating vog particles. • For more information, check www.ala-hawaii.org and go to air quality; or call the American Lung Association of Hawaii at 537-5966. Source: American Lung Association of Hawaii
Kona wind conditions brought the haze from Kilauea volcano north from the Big Island, which is a normal weather pattern for this time of year, state health officials said.
Fisherman Clarence Chun peers through the haze from Point Panic as vog blurs the view of Diamond Head.
What is vog?
