Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015

VOG, HOW PEOPLE HANDLE IT was the topic at the meeting yesterday evening at Pahala Library. Residents from Pahala, Wood Valley and Volcano attended, invited by Dr. Claire Horwell, who runs the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network. She is conducting a study on ways people protect themselves from vog and how those methods relate to official advice.

      The coping methods reported for vog events were diverse. Most said they close windows, one saying she puts towels across the seam where the double-hung windows lock. Another said her slight asthma became full-blown after 2008 when heavy vog started covering the Ka`u landscape. Now she lives in a sealed house with windows rarely open and air conditioning and air filtering systems going 24/7. She and several others noted the very high cost of electricity being a barrier to sensitive people buying air cleaners that filter out SO2 and also purchasing air conditioning. A public school teacher talked about wet cloths in front of fans acting as a cooler and filter, a less expensive alternative but not scientifically proven.
      There was discussion about louver windows and whether wooden and glass ones can close tightly enough to keep out vog.
      There was also discussion on the value of closing windows even if they are not completely tight. With fewer pukas, less vog enters the room. A person should not give up on reducing the amount of vog coming into the room just because a house is leaky.
      Several people talked about vog giving them raspy voices and chronic coughs over time. They talked about using lozenges, and some said they drank tea and lots of water. Another said she wears an oil diffuser around her neck that emits peppermint for her to breathe. She said her mother uses many supplements and vapors to reduce symptoms of asthma, which started developing after the family moved to Wood Valley. She said at the public school campus in Pahala students have headaches, can taste the vog and become nauseous. She said they grew up with it, so are used to it.
      One resident talked about individual communities dealing with vog differently. Some houses in Ocean View have only screens. In some places more people work outdoors so they have more exposure.
      There was discussion about the new gym and possibly installing air conditioning and air cleaners to make it a safe place for recess and athletics during heavy vog. Air cleaners and air conditioning for all classrooms was also discussed as a possible proposal.
      There was agreement that health advisory information should be distributed in print form. It was acknowledged that there is much information on the Internet.
      Regarding emissions from the volcano other than SO2, a study on the edge of Halema`uma`u crater took in the emissions and checked for metals. Mercury recovered was not the kind that humans and other mammals can absorb. Other metals were recorded, but below health warning levels. Another survey session is expected soon in Na`alehu. Contact Horwell at claire.horwell@durham.ac.uk.
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