The state Health Department has launched the new Volcano Helpline to provide up-to-date information on vog and volcanic emissions.

The toll-free number is 866-767-5044.

The help line will be staffed Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In a news release, the department said "health information providers who have been trained in public health emergency service information" will be manning the phones.

In addition, recorded messages (updated daily at 7 a.m.) are accessible seven days a week, 24 hours a day including holidays, the release said.

The updated recorded messages will provide information on daily sulfur dioxide and particulate levels on Hawai'i Island.

The system provides an additional and alternate source of information for people seeking current conditions due to recent increased volcanic emissions from Kilauea volcano.

"The Volcano Helpline was established to provide immediate information for residents and visitors to Hawai'i," said Laurence Lau, deputy director for Environmental Health. "With the recent increased emissions from Halema'uma'u Crater and Pu'u O'o vent, getting accurate and real time information to the residents and visitors in Hawai'i is a priority."

The helpline is sponsored by the Department of Health and operated by the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.

Additional information on vog can be found at http://hawaii.gov/gov/vog