The state House of Representatives 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 Halema'uma'u 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 largely made up of lawmakers from the Big Island. The committee will look at the effects of vog on health and safety, agriculture, water quality, pets and animals, and wildlife.

"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 written 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."

Since March, emissions from Kilauea have been running 150 percent to 200 percent of normal. Recent measurements by the U.S. Geological Survey showed Pu'u 'O'o producing about 2,860 metric tons of sulfur dioxide per day.