An indoor air quality assessment for vulnerable populations exposed to volcanic vog from Kilauea Volcano.
The Ka'u District of Hawaii is exposed to sulfurous air pollution called vog from the ongoing eruption of Kilauea Volcano. Increased volcanic activity in 2008 prompted an indoor air quality assessment of the district's hospital and schools. All indoor sulfur dioxide concentrations were above the World Health Organization's average 24-hour recommendation. Indoor penetration ratios were up to 94% of ambient levels and dependent upon building construction or the use of air-conditioning. Health-promotion efforts for vulnerable populations at the hospital and schools are under way to improve indoor air quality and respond to those affected by vog exposure.
Longo
Bernadette M
BM
Orvis School of Nursing, Division of Health Sciences, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA. longo@unr.edu
Yang
Wei
W
Green
Joshua B
JB
Longo
Anthony A
AA
Harris
Merylin
M
Bibilone
Renwick
R
D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D052638:Particulate Matter; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide