Does anyone know about or have ever experienced the harmful affects of vog?

Question

I live on the Big Island of Hawaii where the active Kilueau volcano emits ash called vog. It hangs over the area I live in. I have lived here for 5 years and have develped resperitory problems. I will have to move.

Vog: volcanic ash containing sulphuric acid, mercury, lead and a lot of other awful stuff. Sounds like no one wants to talk about it; but even paradise can have its problems.

Answer 1

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that you're having respiratory problems. My family lives in Hilo so we haven't had problems, but my mom does have problems breathing when we get by Volcano area so I feel for you.

There aren't a lot of comprehensive and conclusive studies about the effects of vog, but some people say they get headaches, flu like symptoms, and feel listless. People like my mom feel like it gets hard to breathe.

Anyway, here are some suggestions that might help you feel better:

1. Drink lots of fluids to loosen mucus and clear lungs.

2. Don't overexert yourself when vog levels are high. Relax. Since vog seems to worsen during the day, it is best to do yard work or excercise earlier in the day.

3. Don't smoke and avoid people smoking or burning trash, especially during vog episodes.

4. When vog is strong, avoid exposure to colds, flu, molds, mildew, pollen, and dust. (Some of the lung clearance and immune functions could be compromised by high vog.)

5. For very high vog, stay indoors, close the windows, and run an air purifier or air conditioner. Indoor plants (especially spider plants) may help clean the air. A local remedy includes hanging up sheets that have been soaked In a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda to one liter of water (which can help trap acid aerosols and gases.)

6. Keep any respiratory and heart medications you use handy. Consult your doctor.

7. Know your baseline lung function. Take the tests after breathing "clean" air one week or more), then get retested if/when breathing becomes more difficult during high vog episodes. Have your doctor keep records of both your lung function and approximate vog levels.

Sorry to hear that you have to move. Things should get better if you move to, say, Kona. Feel better!