How bad is vog in Hawaii?
Vog is unpleasant to anyone, and can produce headaches as well as irritation to the lungs and eyes at higher concentrations. For people with asthma and other respiratory problems, the effects are much more serious, causing a tightening of the airways in the lungs and making it very difficult to breathe.
Does Oahu get vog?
In Hawaii they call it “vog,” short for volcanic smog. In most of Hawaii, most of the time, there is no vog. People can breathe easy. But if the winds are unfavorable, vog can spread far from the volcano on the Big Island to affect people as far away as Oahu, 200 miles to the northwest, as it did in 2008 and 2016.
What Can Hawaii residents do to avoid health problems from vog?
Stay indoors. During periods of heavy vog conditions, avoid physical activity (especially outdoors) such as brisk walking or exercise. Close windows at night. Use fans or if you use an air conditioner, keep vent closed and use re-circulated air if possible.
Where is vog the worst on the Big island?
Consequently, the areas southwest of Kīlauea are most frequently affected by vog on Hawaiʻi Island. When trade winds are absent, which occurs most often during the winter months, east Hawaiʻi, the entire island, or the entire state can be impacted by vog.
Does Maui get vog?
Volcanic smog (vog) on Maui Vog (volcanic smog) is much more common on Hawaii’s Big Island than on Maui since the Big Island is the only Hawaiian island that still has active volcanoes.
Can vog cause sore throat?
Physical complaints associated with vog exposure include headaches, breathing difficulties, increased susceptibility to respiratory ailments, watery eyes, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, and a general lack of energy.
Is vog bad for you?
Vog poses a health hazard by aggravating preexisting respiratory ailments. Physical complaints associated with vog exposure include headaches, breathing difficulties, increased susceptibility to respiratory ailments, watery eyes, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, and a general lack of energy.