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Heavy Vog Raises Health Concerns Print E-mail
Written by Lisa Kubota - lkubota@kgmb9.com   
May 15, 2008 07:22 PM

 
Every day Annie White bikes, swims and walks at Ala Moana Park. For her, the vog is an all too familiar problem.

"I left the Big Island about 12-13 years because the vog was affecting me when I lived on the Big Island. Sore eyes, breathing," said White.

Now a shift in the wind has brought those symptoms back. The volcanic haze is causing concern for many. The American Lung Association is fielding calls from residents as well as tourists worried about visiting the islands.

"Definitely a lot of calls. People from the mainland calling, people just locally with children wanting to know what to do," said Jean Evans of the American Lung Association of Hawaii.

But the state checks for the pollutant by measuring sulfur dioxide and small particles in the air around the clock. Only Big Island communities have had unsafe levels since April 1. Twenty-four hour sulfur dioxide levels topped national standards nine times in Pahala, once in Mountain View.

Both communities as well as Kona also unhealthy levels of particles in the air during that month. That hasn't happened even once on Oahu.

"They are slightly elevated because of the vog issues but we really haven't seen anything that really is a concern for us here on Oahu," said Janice Okubo of the Hawaii Department of Health.

Still for those who are sensitive like White, the air pollution is making it tough to enjoy their exercise.

"I am very concerned, yes. But you know it's a global thing where there's environmental pollutants. It's a global thing and it's something we have to deal with and do the best we can with what we've got," said White.

Click here for more on the air quality in your area.


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Last Updated ( May 17, 2008 06:36 PM )
 
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