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Recent activity at Kilauea volcano has been affecting nearby communities on the Big Island with increased levels of
sulfur dioxide (SO2). The Department of Health (DOH) is working with Hawai`i County and its efforts to continue to
monitor the SO2 levels throughout the Big Island.
Elevated levels of SO2 can cause breathing problems in individuals especially those with preexisting respiratory
conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. 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:
- Stay indoors and use an air conditioner, if available.
- Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
- Limit physical exertion.
- Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus. Warm beverages seem to work best.
- If you take medications, make sure you have an adequate supply and keep them readily available in a convenient place.
- Contact your physician as soon as any respiratory problem develops.
While these recommendations are intended primarily for persons having respiratory or chronic lung disease, they are also
useful for healthy persons during vog episodes. Click here for a printable one-page PDF file on precautionary measures
for elevated sulfur dioxide on the Big Island.
To obtain additional information on respiratory health, contact your personal physician or the American Lung Association
of Hawai`i at (808) 537-5966.
To obtain more information about the Clean Air Branch, please call (808) 586-4200 between 7:45 a.m.
and 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Department of Health Clean Air Branch
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 203
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Ph (808) 586-4200
Fax (808) 586-4359
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