An Indoor Air Quality Assessment for Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Volcanic Vog From Kilauea Volcano

Longo, Bernadette M.; Yang, Wei; Green, Joshua B.; Longo, Anthony A.; Harris, Merylin; Bibilone, Renwick

doi:10.1097/fch.0b013e3181c4e26b

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The average 24-h concentration of PM 2.5 , measured by a Met-One betaattenuation mass monitor, was 15.8 (± 7.0; range 0-116) mg/m 3 for April 11 through June 6, 2008. An air quality study in May and June 2008 identified a significant positive correlation between ambient concentrations of SO 2 and PM 2.5 during Pacific trade wind conditions (Longo et al, 2010). Therefore, SO 2 was considered the signature measure of vog exposure for this study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Volcanic Air Pollution (vog) from Increased Activity at Kilauea Volcano in 2008

Longo

Wang

Green³

et al. 2010

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

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In 2008, the Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawai'i increased eruption activity and emissions of sulfurous volcanic air pollution called vog. The purpose of this study was to promptly assess for a relative increase in cases of medically diagnosed acute illnesses in an exposed Hawaiian community. Using a within-clinic retrospective cohort design, comparisons were made for visits of acute illnesses during the 14 wk prior to the increased volcanic emissions (low exposure) to 14 wk of high vog exposure when ambient sulfur dioxide was threefold higher and averaged 75 parts per billion volume per day. Logistic regression analysis estimated effect measures between the low- and high-exposure cohorts for age, gender, race, and smoking status. There were statistically significant positive associations between high vog exposure and visits for medically diagnosed cough, headache, acute pharyngitis, and acute airway problems. More than a sixfold increase in odds was estimated for visits with acute airway problems, primarily experienced by young Pacific Islanders. These findings suggest that the elevated volcanic emissions in 2008 were associated with increased morbidity of acute illnesses in age and racial subgroups of the general Hawaiian population. Continued investigation is crucial to fully assess the health impact of this natural source of sulfurous air pollution. Culturally appropriate primary- and secondary-level health prevention initiatives are recommended for populations in Hawai'i and volcanically active areas worldwide.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Volcanic Air Pollution (vog) from Increased Activity at Kilauea Volcano in 2008

Longo

Wang

Green³

et al. 2010

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

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“…Future health studies in volcanic environments should consider distance from source in epidemiological assessments. Studies have identified built environments (e.g., structure type) that can affect vogexposure risk and recommended interventions [16]. Hence, vulnerability is intertwined with volcanic phenomena in communities near active volcanoes.…”

Section: Physiological Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies are now examining acute and residual effects of major eruptions and are leading to important public health interventions, disaster planning, and multidisciplinary efforts to enhance population health in volcanic areas around the world. Table 4 describes public health efforts that focus across levels of (a) The pattern of "clean air" hours for each geographic area during typical meteorological conditions to allow planning of daily activities [16] (b) The use of "real-time" air quality data accessible on the internet (c) The emergency response plan for high vog events Establish:…”

Section: Public Health Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(a) Disaster shelters and renovate hospitals as needed to ensure clean indoor air [16] (b) A policy of notification for new building/construction permits of the potential structural effects on indoor air quality [16] Continue and enhance: (a) Clinicians implement guidelines from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute [17] (b) Ensure all patients have a current "asthma action plan" and carry emergency medications as advised [17] (c) Provide innovative asthma education and support for children and their parents (e.g., camps, web-based activities) (d) Continue the public health nursing asthma plan for schools (e) Enhance the Hawaii Asthma Initiative to address the unique challenge of vog [20] Persons with cardiovascular disease:…”

Section: Public Health Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adverse Health Effects Associated with Increased Activity at Kīlauea Volcano: A Repeated Population-Based Survey

Longo

2013

ISRN Public Health

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Eruptive activity at the Kīlauea volcano (Hawai'i, USA) has increased since 2008 resulting in volcanic air pollution (vog) at levels exceeding the national air quality standard for sulfur dioxide. Previous investigations during lower vog levels found adverse cardiorespiratory effects in the residents. The purpose of this 2012 survey was to reassess and compare the impact of the increased volcanic activity on population health. Prevalence of cardiorespiratory signs, symptoms, and diseases was estimated in vog exposed and unexposed communities, and descriptions of perceived health and environmental effects were collected door-to-door. Vog exposure was significantly associated with increased odds of self-reported cough, phlegm, rhinorrhea, sore/dry throat, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, continual wheezing, eye and skin irritation, and diagnosed hypertension. Field measurements identified significantly higher average systolic and diastolic blood pressures ( = 0.045, 0.002) and lower blood oxygen saturation ( = 0.008). Half of the participants perceived that Kīlauea's intensified eruption had negatively affected their health with reports of financial impacts from degradation of agriculture and livestock. Relatively stronger magnitudes of health effects were associated with the higher exposure to vog. Public concerns remain about attributed effects of the ongoing eruption. Enhanced public health efforts are recommended at Kīlauea and other degassing volcanoes worldwide.

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“…4). It has been shown that indoor SO 2 concentrations regularly exceed the World Health Organisation guidelines in the affected areas of Big Island (Longo et al 2010b) and that during periods of enhanced volcanic outgassing there are synchronous increases in the occurrence of acute respiratory conditions requiring treatment on the island (Longo et al 2010a). In response to the clear need for a system of monitoring and early warning, SO 2 concentration sensor data from inside the park and around the island are combined with SO 2 emission rates and a model for plume dispersion to produce a vog model that forecasts air quality for the Hawaiian Islands (Fig.…”

Section: Monitoring and Communicatingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volcanic Gases: Silent Killers

Edmonds

Grattan

Michnowicz

2015

Advances in Volcanology

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Volcanic gases are insidious and often overlooked hazards. The effects of volcanic gases on life may be direct, such as asphyxiation, respiratory diseases and skin burns; or indirect, e.g. regional famine caused by the cooling that results from the presence of sulfate aerosols injected into the stratosphere during explosive eruptions. Although accounting for fewer fatalities overall than some other forms of volcanic hazards, history has shown that volcanic gases are implicated frequently in small-scale fatal events in diverse volcanic and geothermal regions. In order to mitigate risks due to volcanic gases, we must identify the challenges. The first relates to the difficulty of monitoring and hazard communication: gas concentrations may be elevated over large areas and may change rapidly with time. Developing alert and early warning systems that will be communicated in a timely fashion to the population is logistically difficult. The second challenge focuses on education and understanding risk. An effective response to warnings requires an educated population and a balanced weighing of conflicting cultural beliefs or economic interests with risk. In the case of gas hazards, this may also mean having the correct personal protection equipment, knowing where to go in case of evacuation and being aware of increased risk under certain sets of meteorological conditions. In this chapter we review several classes of gas hazard, the risks associated with them, potential risk mitigation strategies and ways of communicating risk. We discuss carbon dioxide flows and accumulations, including lake overturn events which have accounted for the greatest M. Edmonds

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An Indoor Air Quality Assessment for Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Volcanic Vog From Kilauea Volcano

Cited by 8 publications

References 17 publications

Acute Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Volcanic Air Pollution (vog) from Increased Activity at Kilauea Volcano in 2008

Acute Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Volcanic Air Pollution (vog) from Increased Activity at Kilauea Volcano in 2008

Adverse Health Effects Associated with Increased Activity at Kīlauea Volcano: A Repeated Population-Based Survey

Volcanic Gases: Silent Killers

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