The beauty of the lava shows Madam Pele creates is awe-inspiring, but for those with asthma or other lung conditions, the byproduct of these natural fire displays can be bothersome to their health.
Volcanic smog, more commonly referred to as vog, is a hazy mixture formed when sulfur dioxide gas and other fine particulate matter from an active volcano interact with oxygen in the air.
Sulfur dioxide, or SO2, can irritate the throat, nose and airways, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a feeling of tightness around the chest.
For asthma sufferers, it has the potential to trigger asthma attacks.
According to Straub Medical Center Department of Allergy and Immunology Chief Dr. Jeffrey Kam, the effects of vog can set in quickly and are especially harmful to children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
Luckily, there are measures you can take to stay healthy despite voggy conditions.
Watch the video below for Kam's tips on what to do when vog rolls in.
Published on: May 9, 2018