18-051 DOH_Air Quality Guidelines for Hawaii County NR FINAL

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D. DIRECTOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2018 18-051 New interactive air quality monitoring tool makes data available online during Kilauea volcanic eruption HILO, HI – Hawai‘i Island emergency responders now have access to real-time data from more than 30 additional areas on the island to make informed decisions about the air quality affected by volcanic activity. Data from newly installed air quality monitors stationed in the Kilauea East Rift Zone and other affected areas is now available to the public. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency (HCCDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expanded air quality monitoring capacity in the lower East Rift Zone during the volcanic eruption on Hawaii Island. The data is now available online at www.epa.gov/kilaueaairdata. “The health and safety of first responders and the community have been our top priorities,” said Director of Health Dr. Bruce Anderson. “These additional monitors will provide integral data for emergency management officials to make critical decisions each day to support response efforts, and for residents and visitors to make informed decisions for their personal health and safety concerns.” “Working together with state and local public health and emergency management agencies, the EPA developed an online mapping tool that provides real-time air quality data near the volcanic activity,” said Mike Stoker, regional administrator for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office. “The EPA will continue to provide support to our partner agencies to ensure first responders and the public have access to this vital information.” The map viewer uses the county’s three-color public notification system (blue, orange and red), which recommends protective actions to be taken by responders and the public. The three-color system corresponds with established health guidelines. “Volcanic eruptions are unique hazards that call for specialized response protocols,” said Talmadge Magno, HCCDA administrator. “We developed a system that aligns with federal and state health standards that also meets the needs of our county first responders. We believe these guidelines support our sheltering and evacuation messaging by efficiently communicating health risks to the public during our ongoing response.”