2018-05-11 Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone FAQs. and Kilauea Summit Ash Hazard page

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breathing resistance caused by respirators/masks can worsen symptoms of respiratory disorders.  Effectiveness of particle masks: Basic dust masks, bandanas, or surgical masks will not provide any substantial protection from SO or HS gas or particles. Industry- 22 certified particle masks (e.g., N95) will block particles if worn correctly (see http://ivhhn.org/ash-protection). However, since gases are the main hazard in the LERZ eruption, N95 particle masks, which are not designed to capture gases, are not appropriate or safe. Any respirators/masks will not protect those with beards or moustaches as facial hair interferes with a good seal to the face. Will there be acid rain?  Rain is acidified by acid volcanic gases like SO. In areas where the gas plume is 2 present, there is likely to be acid rain. The acidity will depend on the concentrations of gas present during rainfall. https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain  Acid rain can damage plants and accelerate the rusting of metal surfaces on buildings, vehicles, farm equipment and infrastructure, and cellphone towers. Acid rain is likely to kill fish in open air ponds so covering ponds is advised. Acid rain can also irritate the skin and eyes or cause a stinging sensation. Rinsing the skin and eyes with clean water can help.  Information on how to protect water catchment systems can be found at https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawaiirain/vog.html and http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/catchment-systems. Filters that neutralize acid catchment water are available commercially. Where do I go for eruption and emissions information?  USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) status reports and alerts: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html  Civil Defense updates and alerts: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts  The Vog Dashboard which links to Hawaii-wide air quality data and information on vog: www.ivhhn.org/vog  Hawaii Emergency Management Agency information: http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/  Vog forecast: UH Manoa Vog Measurement and Prediction project (VMAP): http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/  National Weather Service (NWS) new wind and weather data at Pāhoa and Puna Geothermal Ventures (PGV) are included on this site: http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi- bin/droman/mesomap.cgi?state=HI&rawsflag=3 o On the left side of the page, change the Network from "NWS" to "All Networks" and click "Refresh Map". o Select desired weather parameter under "Display". o Hover over displayed numbers at Pāhoa and PGV for detailed information.  Narrative weather Spot Forecasts for Leilani estates: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/firewx.php  Hawai'i Island Vog Network - information on air quality monitors to be installed in Lower Puna: http://kohalacenter.org/research/vog-network