Hawaiian volcanoes are fascinating, and their ease of access has made them important in the study of earth sciences. But for human health, we need to protect ourselves from some aspects of them.
Contrary to what the mass media would have you believe, we are not blowing up like Krakatoa. Most of Moku Hawaiʻi is perfectly fine, and the rest of the islands even more so.
As Hawaiians, we do not consider this a “disaster” or “destruction,” but, rather, the on-going building of the island by the elemental force, Pele. It is creation in all its glory, and we are privileged to be here where we can observe in relative safety.
Below, please find authoritative links to real information, instead of media hype, and explanations of the various types of filter masks and respirators.
Good Article from the San Francisco Chronicle:
Eruptions in Hawaii: What you need to know before traveling to the islands
Good article from Earther.com
Scientists fight volcano myths as Kīlauea erupts
For the most accurate current information, please visit the following sites.
Ignore the media that claims the volcano is blowing up, hurling truck-sized boulders into the air, and that locals are fleeing the islands. It just is not true:
Info on Vog:
https://www.nps.gov/havo/
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Observatory News:
https://
Kīlauea Volcanic Hazards:
https://
Asthma patients and others with respiratory issues:
http://
How Halemaʻumaʻu works:
https://
Why Hawaiian volcanoes are not like Pacific Rim volcanoes:
https://www.youtube.com/
Protect yourself from volcanic fumes!
On high-vog days, it’s a good idea to protect ourselves from the particulate matter and from the irritating and/or toxic fumes vented by the volcano. Some face masks are better at this than others.
Each mask is coded to tell you what it protects from, and how well it can do the job. Below, we de-code the codes.
Every type of face mask is made for a specific purpose. Using the wrong one only gives a false sense of security, and little to no actual protection. It’s always a balance between best airflow and best protection, so learn your masks!
Don’t risk getting sick as a dog. Choose the right mask or respirator for the right job!
Types of Masks
Surgical Masks
Common surgical masks, such as the ones above, are meant to catch your own body fluids, such as saliva and nasal discharge, when you cough or sneeze. They protect the people around you from any “bugs” you may have.
They are not designed to protect you from inhaling airborne bacteria, viruses and fine particles.
Surgical masks typically have two straps, one on each side, that hook over your ears. Some may come with one strap that goes above the ears.
Wear a surgical mask if you have a cold, flu, or cough when you are around other people. This is when sharing is NOT caring!
Surgical masks also are helpful in keeping your mucus membranes moist during air travel, helping prevent you from becoming ill from pathogens on the plane. We, of Kaʻahele Hawaiʻi, always pack a few in our carry-ons.
Surgical masks CANNOT provide adequate protection against fine particles present in smoke and haze!
Respirators
Respirators, also called particulate respirators, are more substantial in construction, and are designed to keep the wearer from inhaling dust, mold, other airborne particles, and/or fumes, vapors, or gases.
Good respirators will have one or two valves. These valves allow you to exhale CO2 (carbon dioxide), a natural byproduct of breathing. They are NOT filters. One way to tell you are building up too much CO2 is that you start yawning a lot. Just take a deep breath, then pull your mask away from your face and exhale hard. Seal the mask back up and breathe normally.
If you will be in an area with significant S02 (sulphur dioxide), be sure to include goggles with a good seal to the skin to protect your eyes, or purchase a full-face respirator.
There are two main kinds of respirators, disposable and reusable. At the bottom of this post, you will find links to different types of respirators. As different respirators are recommended to us, we will add more. This list is only made based on anecdotal suggestions, and makes no claims or warranties of effectiveness.
Mask and Filter Cartridge Ratings
Respiratory Filters come in different ratings which tell you what and how much the respirator will filter out, and what kind of environment it is designed to be worn in.
The higher the rating, the greater percentage of stuff it will filter out. Be sure to pick a rating that is high enough to filter out what you need to. But, try to avoid going higher than you need. The higher the number the more difficult it is for air to pass through the filter, making breathing a bit more difficult and tiring. Sanding your new table before painting does not require the filtering capability needed for S02 and other gasses.
Generally, an N95 respirator will be cooler, and easier to breath through, than a P99 or P95 dust mask. But if you are dealing with volcanic ash and fumes, you’ll want to consider getting the best you can find.
Be sure to check the specs to learn how many hours of filtration you can get out of them. Most are around 40. Unless the instructs say you can, don’t try to blow them clean with an air gun or whatever. It won’t do much to clean them, and it will damage the fibers and their ability to filter out the bad stuff.
Respirator Rating Letter Class
- N – Not oil resistant, indicates the mask removes particulate matter only.
- R – Resistant to oil, indicates the mask will filter out some oil-based pollutants, as well as particulates.
- P – Oil Proof, indicates the mask will filter out most of the oil-based pollutants.
- C – Activated Carbon, indicates the mask helps with things like ozone and SO2. Notice, we say, “helps.” Don’t put one of these on and go traipsing into a hazardous area. Instead, think of it as a rescue device. If you get trapped in a hazardous area, this might help clean the air long enough for you to get out.
- V – Valve, indicates the mask has a nifty valve which allows you to get rid of CO2 more easily.
Respirator Rating Number Class
- 95 – Removes 95% of all particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter. The N95 respirator is the most common of the seven types of particulate filtering facepiece respirators.
- 99 – Removes 99% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter
- 100 – Removes 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. HE or HEPA quality filter.
Disposable Respirators
Disposable respirators are masks will have the word “NIOSH,” and either “N95“, “N99“, “N100“, “R95“, “R99“, “R100“, “P95“, “P99” or “P100” printed on them.
NIOSH stands for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH is a U.S. federal agency which conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. A product that bears the word NIOSH means it meets certain standard recommended by the agency.
N95 Respirators
N99 Respirators
N100 Respirator
R95 Respirator
Reusable Respirators
Reusable respirators have replaceable filters. We will add more links as we get more feedback.
N99CV
Vogmask – This stylish respirator was designed for people who live in high-smog areas, need to protect themselves, and want to look good. Runs US$25-$35. This is the most comfortable respirator we have found. It is washable if you are careful. Instructions are in the box.
R99 Respirator