Volcanic air pollution, better known as vog, is covering Oahu and compromising the health of its residents.

The contamination results from the reaction of sulfur dioxide or other gases from an erupting volcano with oxygen, sunlight and moisture. In the Hawaiian Islands, vog originates from the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island.

Vog contains chemicals that damage the environment and negatively impact human health.

Teacher Jill Semmens said, “I used to live on the mainland and was unaccustomed to this weather. When I first started feeling symptoms, I did not know what was causing them until I learned about vog. 

Vog’s pollution can cause watery eyes, sore throat, headaches, difficult breathing and lung damage.

Junior Maile Romano also feels vog’s effects. “With sports, it is difficult to practice or compete when you cannot breathe normally.”

Symptoms often become worse if individuals have other health complications.

Semmens said, “I have escalated allergies from the contaminated atmosphere, and get headaches and a stuffy nose.”

Senior Alexis Fraga also suffers from vog’s effects. “My allergies combined with the vog cause me to have frequent sinus headaches. I often have to take Zyrtec to relieve the symptoms.”

To decrease the negative effects of vog on the body, it is vital to maintain healthy lungs. Drinking a lot of fluids and avoiding additional air pollutants such as cigarette smoke are both effective. Staying inside is also highly recommended.