Health-hazard Evaluation Report Heta 90-179-2172, National Park Service, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, Hawaii
In response to a request from the National Park Service, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous exposures to volcanic emissions, both gases and particulates, at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (SIC-7999) on the island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. Concerns included exposures to sulfur-dioxide (7446095) (SO2), asphalt decomposition products from burning pavement, acid mists when lava enters the ocean, volcanic caused smog, and Pele's hair (a fibrous glass like material). Two other related requests for study were also received in regard to civil defense workers in these areas. No detectable levels of SO2 were found during long term colorimetric detector tube sampling used to characterize park workers' personal full shift exposures. Short term detector tube samples collected near a naturally occurring sulfur vent showed SO2 levels of 1.2 parts per million (ppm). Work related symptoms reported by more than 50% of the respondents included headache, eye irritation, throat irritation, cough, and phlegm. Chest tightness or wheezing and shortness of breath were also frequently reported. Samples collected for hydrochloric-acid (7647010) and hydrofluoric-acid (7664393) recorded concentrations of up to 15ppm for the former and 1.0ppm for the latter acid. Airborne particulates in the laze plume were comprised largely of chloride salts. Airborne fibers were detected at a concentration of 0.16 fibers per cubic centimeter. The authors conclude that excessive exposure to SO2 can occur at some locations within the park. The authors recommend that workers and visitors to the park be informed of the potential for exposures.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5230437
- Report Number(s):
- PB-92-176866/XAB; HETA--90-179-2172
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CHALCOGENIDES
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FIBERGLASS
FLUIDS
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GASES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HAWAII
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INORGANIC ACIDS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PUBLIC HEALTH
RECOMMENDATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SMOG
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
USA
VOLCANIC GASES
VOLCANOES