Caution still urged on Big Island over sulfur dioxide
Advertiser Staff
Although Big Island Civil Defense said in its most recent update that sulfur dioxide levels are starting to drop on Kilauea volcano, the State Department of Health is urging Big Island residents and visitors to take precautionary measures.
Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide can cause breathing problems in individuals especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, the DOH said. If you have respiratory conditions and live or work in an area impacted by SO2 or vog, consider taking precautionary measures. The following are general recommendations from the American Lung Association:
While these recommendations are intended primarily for persons having respiratory or chronic lung disease, they are also useful for healthy persons during vog episodes.
To obtain additional information on respiratory health, contact your personal physician or the American Lung Association of Hawai`i at 537-5966.
To obtain more information about the Clean Air Branch, call 586-4200 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
