EPA Efforts During Kīlauea Volcano Eruption

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pacific Southwest Region has deployed emergency responders and air monitoring equipment as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s federal response to the Kīlauea volcanic eruption on Hawai‘i Island.

An EPA employee installs a S02 air monitoring meter in Hawai‘i. Photo Credit: James T. Ciszewski, Hawai‘i Department of Health

“EPA remains on the ground assisting Hawai‘i and our federal partners in monitoring air quality and ensuring the public is informed of all potential health risks from the Kīlauea volcano eruption,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

As part of EPA’s ongoing response efforts, the Agency is providing experts to analyze public health threats from volcanic gas emissions and for data management support. EPA is augmenting the multi-agency air monitoring efforts of acute threats to public health from the emission of volcanic gases.

The Agency is also working with the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s (DOH) staff to evaluate locations for additional air quality monitoring stations, and to integrate the multi-agency air quality data collection efforts by US Geological Survey/National Park Service, County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Civil Defense and Hawai‘i Department of Health.

EPA has deployed four staff and will mobilize additional equipment and personnel to support twelve monitoring stations for sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and particulates, and support DOH requests for assistance in collecting, managing and interpreting air monitoring data. EPA will continue to evaluate data collected from the Air Now Network operated by the DOH.

For more information visit the Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard which has comprehensive information and data related to vog and ash hazards and impact: https://vog.ivhhn.org