VOG alert info from Hawaii County

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VOG alert info from Hawaii County

by Joe
(Kona)

This was forwarded to me from Mary. While I appreciate it, remember anyone (you) is free to post here in the forum.

Recent changes in activity at the Halema`uma`u Crater have created a potential increase in hazards for Hawai`i Island. These hazards include higher levels of sulfur dioxide, ash fall, and vog, the effects of which some of us have already been experiencing. The level of risk to your health varies depending on current emissions, locations, and wind direction.

The County of Hawai`i has developed the attached tri-fold brochure that describes the color-coding system established by Hawai`i County Civil Defense that will help to rate conditions in your area when necessary. The brochure also contains recommended actions you can take to minimize health risks to you and your family.

You can download the pdf here: View or download

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VOG alert info from Hawaii County

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Jan 05, 2009

Do It Yourself SO2 Eliminator
by: vogless

For $52.04 I made my own SO2 eliminator - And It Works!

This simple unit uses a fish tank air pump to push air through bubble stones immersed in a baking soda/water mixture.

My pump unit has a variable output knob so that I can adjust its air flow depending on the SO2 levels and how much 'bubble noise' I care to put up with, and a dual air output that I split again to run four 6 inch air stones. YES, there IS a noise factor - but I am SO2 free so I don't care about the background bubbling! (About as much noise as a conventional air conditioner but with less energy usage)

Just go to the pet store and buy a good powerful air pump, some air tubing, and a few air stones. When you get home snag a 5 gallon bucket, put in 1 cup Arm-n-hammer (sodium bicarbonate), and 2 gallons of water, mix until completely dissolved, drop in your stones and be SO2 free in 30 mins.

Do not cheat yourself and get a cheap pump and few air stones, it will not work as well and you will be upset. The key is to pass as much air through the system in as short a time as possible, and to do that you need a powerful pump. My pump cost $24.95, and was the highest capacity pump in the store, and came to about half of my setup cost.

I am using this in my room only - since I am allergic to SO2, and keep my door mostly closed. As long as the air in my room doesn?t get mixed with outside air I can stay SO2 free 24/7. I periodically check the PH level of my water and change it about once a week. You may need to change the water more or less frequently depending on your local SO2 levels. And just for looks I tossed a thin sarong over the whole setup to hide it from sight, as well as to catch any moisture that may be carried up by the bubbles into the air.

This system works because as the air is passed into the water it is in the form of tiny bubbles - bringing the most 'air surface' into contact with the water. The sodium bicarbonate in the water then reacts with the SO2 and turns it into sodium bisulfate, where it gets left behind in the water as the air escapes.

Personally, I have bought higher priced setups that always failed on me, and after examining the way they were built and figuring out the physics of how they worked, I decided to go cheap and do it myself.

I share this knowledge freely in the spirit of Aloha. If you find this knowledge useful then please DO tell others so that they may be SO2 free as well.

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Jan 05, 2009
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Submitted by: vogless

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Comment
For $52.04 I made my own SO2 eliminator - And It Works! This simple unit uses a fish tank air pump to push air through bubble stones immersed in a baking soda/water mixture. My pump unit has a variable output knob so that I can adjust its air flow depending on the SO2 levels and how much 'bubble noise' I care to put up with, and a dual air output that I split again to run four 6 inch air stones. YES, there IS a noise factor - but I am SO2 free so I don't care about the background bubbling! (About as much noise as a conventional air conditioner but with less energy usage) Just go to the pet store and buy a good powerful air pump, some air tubing, and a few air stones. When you get home snag a 5 gallon bucket, put in 1 cup Arm-n-hammer (sodium bicarbonate), and 2 gallons of water, mix until completely dissolved, drop in your stones and be SO2 free in 30 mins. Do not cheat yourself and get a cheap pump and few air stones, it will not work as well and you will be upset. The key is to pass as much air through the system in as short a time as possible, and to do that you need a powerful pump. My pump cost $24.95, and was the highest capacity pump in the store, and came to about half of my setup cost. I am using this in my room only - since I am allergic to SO2, and keep my door mostly closed. As long as the air in my room doesn?t get mixed with outside air I can stay SO2 free 24/7. I periodically check the PH level of my water and change it about once a week. You may need to change the water more or less frequently depending on your local SO2 levels. And just for looks I tossed a thin sarong over the whole setup to hide it from sight, as well as to catch any moisture that may be carried up by the bubbles into the air. This system works because as the air is passed into the water it is in the form of tiny bubbles - bringing the most 'air surface' into contact with the water. The sodium bicarbonate in the water then reacts with the SO2 and turns it into sodium bisulfate, where it gets left behind in the water as the air escapes. Personally, I have bought higher priced setups that always failed on me, and after examining the way they were built and figuring out the physics of how they worked, I decided to go cheap and do it myself. I share this knowledge freely in the spirit of Aloha. If you find this knowledge useful then please DO tell others so that they may be SO2 free as well.

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Dec 04, 2008

Maui Vog
by: Anonymous

I have ben living on Maui for 20 years. I work outdoors and I am a breathing exercise instructer. I bring 5 times more oxygen than the average persom does. It's not safe for me or anyone else to be outdoors in Hawaii anymore for long periods of time. My wife and I are moving to the mainland because of the vog. It's going to get worse and everyone that lives here that spends time outdoors or can't afford to be in AC all of the time is going to get sick with the diseases that Vog exposure brings with it. It's just a matter of time. We have been given the Vog health warnings by the health officials but they are not pushing it because Hawaii would lose its tourism.

Oct 12, 2008

In answer to Oct. 12 comment
by: Joe Trent

You could be right about the vog never going away in our lifetime. But you could be wrong too. The vog down Ocean View is definitely worse than here in Kona.

If I lived down there I might feel as negative about it as you do.

But remember the volcano could quit flowing and spewing vog right this minute. I live in the glass is half full realm so that is the way I see it.

The great thing about those who live in the glass is half empty realm is that a lot of them are leaving which is great.

Less cars on the hiway, less people I have to wait behind at the store etc.

Worst case scenario: the vog gets unbearable in Kona. I move to Hawi. They don't have vog because of the wind currents.

Oct 12, 2008

vog
by: Anonymous

i was in ocean view estates in jan 2000 the air was so clean you could almost taste it. I went back sept 2008, and after 3 days the windshield on my rental car i cleaned with a white paper towell it was black,who said the air was bad IT IS just like cal. only it will never go away . dont be fooled the valcano was here for millons of years we will never see clean air here in our life time.are these the times of the end???????

Sep 27, 2008

Vog updates
by: Anonymous

I don't see any dates. Were these coments made today 9/27/08?

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I fixed it. Administrator. Thanks

Jun 05, 2008

re: How's the vog today
by: Joe T

It was beautiful this morning and then turned voggy around 11AM and is still pretty crappy looking at 6:10PM as I write this. It was like this yesterday too. Check the webcam and you can see for yourself.

Jun 04, 2008

How is the Vog this week
by: Joe C

How bad is the Vog in Kona this week ?

May 18, 2008

color code for kona is????
by: Anonymous

Aloha Joe,
Kona seems to be a mess with Vog this pass few weeks an no one says anything about what color code kona is in. It was much more heavy in Kona then in Hilo an they say Hilo was yellow. that means Kona must of been beyound purple. I was up at the crater one day last week an the vog does not blow towards Ka'u it blows right over that mountain. Kona is whats over that mountain. I think we need more info on color codes for Kona.

May 16, 2008

vog on maui
by: Anonymous

Does anyone know how much vog is in the air? It gets really bad on maui where you can't even see haleakala or the west maui mountains.

Apr 03, 2008

Vog
by: Mary Lovein

Hi Joe,
I am not sure what color Kona would be classified over the last few weeks, but guessing it might have been red.
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I would agree. J.T.

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VOG alert info from Hawaii County

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