Vog in Paradise: Implications to the Ecosystem and Human Health

Background: The Earth's 1,300 active volcanoes represent a significant natural source of environmental pollution. Active volcanoes degass pollutants during eruption and between eruptions, creating a continual point source of fluctuating gas and particle emissions that expose ecosystems and populations. Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), fine sulfate particles, and other trace elements (locally called “vog”) have vented for 28 years from the Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i.

Description: In 2008, eruption activity increased resulting in a 3-fold higher exposure of vog on downwind communities. Daily average concentrations of SO₂ were 20.4(±9.0) ppbv during 2007, compared to an average of 68.3(±8.8) ppbv for January 2008-April 2009 when Kilauea's activity increased considerably. Between January 2008 and April 2009, there were 41 days that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's 24-hr SO₂ standard (140 ppbv), 28 occurrences over the 3-hr standard (500 ppbv), and 18 days when the PM_2.5 24-hr standard (35µg/m³) was exceeded. The resulting agricultural crop damage prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare a primary natural disaster. Ranchers reported damage to grazing lands and infrastructure, as well as health effects in their animals. Increased morbidity of various respiratory illnesses within the exposed human population has been associated with the increased vog. New case studies of emergency room presentations during high-vog episodes (SO₂ >600 ppbv) reveal same-day respiratory and cardiac illnesses (moderate to severe), in company with 1 to 3-day lag presentations of bronchitis and pharyngitis.

Lessons Learned: Air pollution caused by nature's forces cannot be abated. Regardless, front-line clinicians can provide the best care and support for those most vulnerable. Geologists, public health scientists, and clinicians should conduct their respective assessments and provide timely education to the public about the health risks from volcanic pollution and interventions to minimize exposure. Researchers should explore possible procoagulatory effects influencing heart attack and stroke mortality.