Volcanic air pollution in Hawai`i: Research, politics and policy

Research presented to elected officials and Departments of Health can influence health policy for populations. Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i is the largest point source for sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) in the USA. The current eruption has continued for 24 years creating volcanic air pollution at levels that may be detrimental to health. A rural community of Hawaiian and Asian residents living in the immediate downwind area was studied in 2003 to measure exposure levels. Concentrations of SO<sub>2</sub> were above the acute minimal risk level of 10 ppbv (U.S. ATSDR) and ranged from 19.5 to 32.5 ppbv. Fine particle (≤0.3 μm size) concentrations ranged from 0.61 to 11.82 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. These findings were published in the journal Geology in March 2005. Researchers provided early release of these findings to state officials and local politicians. In less than a month from the public release, a Hawai`i law was passed to mandate the state to monitor air quality in exposed areas and funding was secured in 2006. The World Health Organization recently lowered the SO₂ 24-hour guideline to 20 µg/m³ (~ 7.5 ppbv). Real-time air monitors expect to be operational in 2007 to provide assessment of temporal exposure patterns, key to designing health promotion interventions for exposed communities. Repeated irritation from smoking combined with air pollution perpetuates chronic inflammatory processes that potentially lead to lung disease. Efforts are underway to decrease initiation of smoking and assist in smoking cessation in the exposed populations. Hawai'i became the 14th state to go smoke-free in 2006.