More about VOG (Hilo, Waimea, Kilauea: live, air pollution, office)

[cynmkolohe]

"Vog is created when SO2 and other volcanic gases combine and interact chemically in the atmosphere with oxygen, moisture, dust, and sunlight over periods of minutes to days. Vog is a visible haze consisting of gas plus a suspended mixture of tiny liquid and solid particles, called aerosol. The aerosol in vog is composed primarily of sulfuric acid and other sulfate compounds. Small amounts of several toxic metals, including selenium, mercury, arsenic, and iridium, have also been found in the volcanic air pollution coming from Kilauea. Far away from the volcano, such as along the Kona coast on the Island of Hawaii's west side, aerosol particles dominate vog, but near Kilauea SO2 gas is a major component of vog."

from Fact Sheet, Volcanic Air Pollution--A Hazard in Hawai`i; Fact Sheet 169-97

More info: Important Information about VOG-Office of the Governor

Below are two photos (2 & 3) I took today as I drove from Waimea toward the resorts and then back to Waimea along the "upper road." This was one of the worst days I have seen in a while, but I am only there a couple of times each week. (Past Waimea, as I drove back to Hilo, the haze was significantly lighter and the horizon much more visible along the Hamakua coast, although it was cloudy everywhere today.)

Click photo for larger image.

Photo 1: The harbor on a clear day-Maui in the distance:


Photo 2: On a voggy day (unusually heavy?):


Photo 3: Same day-toward Waimea at about 3000ft above sea level:

[hotzcatz]

Most times you can see the vog, but sometimes you don't see it yet feel the effects. Last night was voggy, I had trouble breathing and got headaches. I keep a breathing mask, the sort with canister filters on my bedside table. With that on, the headaches go away and breathing is easier even though wearing a breathing mask and trying to sleep is awkward. Goes along with the ear plugs for the coqui noise, I guess. This morning there wasn't a lot of visible vog but my head was all stuffy until the tradewinds started.

[mdand3boys]

Is it really the VOG or clouds? It has been extremely clear in the Pahoa and Hilo areas the last several weeks. (I am in Hilo daily and live near Pahoa)

[nwcountrygal]

Ahhh bummer I was wishing the vog has slowed down this year? Ohh well I will just deal with it. Last April was the worst I experienced in Pahoa. I know before I even look outside when I wake up, I am stuffed up and get an imediate headache. I am very sensitive to it. One day I sneezed almost all the way up to Hawi. Funny thing is my family member came over who is diagnosed with stage 2 type of lung cancer. Once she got over the panic from seeing fog... the real vog that had me miserable feeling didn't even affect her. Each person has their own reaction.

I agree I have had days in Pahoa/Hilo didn't see but sure did feel it.

[cynmkolohe]

I'm in Waimea working today. There was haze, but we could see all five volcanoes today...including Halealaka on Maui!