KAILUA-KONA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has deployed emergency responders and air monitoring equipment to Hawaii Island as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the Kilauea volcano eruption, according to a press release from the EPA.
The EPA is also sending experts to analyze public health threats from volcanic gas emissions and to assist with data management support. The EPA is augmenting the multi-agency air monitoring efforts of acute threats to public health from the emission of volcanic gases.
The agency is also working with the Hawaii Department of Health staff to evaluate locations for additional air quality monitoring stations, as well as to to integrate the multi-agency air quality data collection efforts by US Geological Survey/National Park Service, County of Hawaii, state Civil Defense and state Department of Health.
EPA has deployed four staff and will mobilize additional equipment and personnel to support 12 monitoring stations for sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and particulates and support DOH requests for assistance in collecting, managing and interpreting air monitoring data.