The state House has created a special committee of state lawmakers to examine the effects of volcanic smog, or vog, on health, safety and the environment.

Emissions from Pu'u 'O'o and Halemaumau on the Big Island have spread vog across the Islands in recent weeks.

The eight-member committee, led by state Rep. Bob Herkes, D-5th (Ka'u, S. Kona), is dominated by lawmakers from the Big Island. The committee will look at the impact of vog on health and safety, agriculture, water quality, pets and animals, and wildlife and report back to the Legislature before next session.

"What is occurring is a natural disaster, but unlike a tsunami, hurricane, twister or major earthquake, it is not viewed as one," Herkes said in a statement. "The Legislature needs to focus on the impacts on Hawai'i residents such as health and safety, loss of agricultural crops or the impact on tourism and jobs, an explore all avenues of relief."