10:30 AM: Hawai‘i Island Air Quality Update

Air quality, June 7, 2018, 10:30 a.m. MC: EPA

The Environmental Protectin Agency has created an Air Monitoring Viewer for the Kilauea eruption that is updated every 30 minutes.

As of 10 a.m., June 7, 2018, some areas in the Lower East Rift Zone of the Big Island registered dangerous levels of hazardous gases for the general public as well as for those with pre-existing medical and respiratory conditions.

The EPA recommends:

• Asthmatics and persons with chronic respiratory disease: ALWAYS have your medications available. Reducing your exertion level so that you can breathe through your nose will reduce the amount of hazardous gas that reaches your lungs.
• People experiencing health effects: Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any problems develop, as respiratory conditions might worsen rapidly in heavy sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or vog conditions.
• People have different sensitivities to hazardous gas. Use the table in this article to learn how sensitive you are, so that you can develop appropriate measures to protect your health and avoid serious responses.
• Readings are based on 30-minute average. Part per million equals part per billion divided by 1000.
• Susceptible individuals may develop symptoms at or below the warning limits.
• Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung or heart disease may be more severely impacted by poor air quality conditions. Note: Some people with mild asthma may not be aware of it. If you have breathing difficulties at low levels of SO2 or H2S, check with your healthcare provider.
• People react differently to hazardous gas exposure—some are more sensitive. For many people simply reducing activity levels enough so that they can breathe through the nose will permit them to be outdoors without symptoms.

For updates, go online.