Data Disclaimer
Air quality and weather data are typically displayed on this web page within 15 minutes (1 hour for Jaggar Museum and Kīlauea Visitor Center Parking Lot PM2.5) of their collection. As a result, data quality is not guaranteed for scientific and regulatory purposes and data may be revised at a later time.
Air quality health advisory levels
| Recommended Action/Activity1 | ||||
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Color Code & Air Quality Condition | Air Quality Description | Sensitive Groups2 | People Experiencing Health Effects2 | Everyone Else |
| Green (Good) | Considered satisfactory & poses little or no risk | Highly sensitive individuals may be affected at these levels | Potential health effects not expected | |
| Yellow (Moderate) | Acceptable, however, may be moderate health concern for small number of people | Be aware that levels are slightly elevated | If you experience breathing difficulties, such as chest tightness or wheezing, stop activities, use a rescue inhaler and find a place to sit down and rest. | Potential health effects not expected, however actions to reduce exposure to vog may be useful |
| Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) | Members in sensitive groups, including healthy individuals with mild asthma, may experience health effects. They may be affected at lower levels than general public. Toward the upper end of this range, most asthmatics who are active outdoors are likely to experience some breathing difficulties. General public not expected to be affected in this range. | Avoid outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing or breathing through the mouth3 | If you experience breathing difficulties, such as chest tightness or wheezing, stop activities, use a rescue inhaler and find a place to sit down and rest. |
Potential health effects not expected, however actions to reduce exposure to vog may be useful |
| Red (Unhealthy) | Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. | Avoid outdoor activities & remain indoors | Consider leaving the area | Avoid outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing or breathing through the mouth4 |
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Purple (Very Unhealthy) |
Triggers health alert, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects. | Avoid outdoor activities & remain indoors | Leave the area & seek medical help | Avoid outdoor activities & remain indoors |
| Maroon (Hazardous) | Triggers health warnings of emergency conditions. Entire population is more likely to be affected. | Avoid outdoor activities & remain indoors. Leave the area if directed by Civil Defense |
Leave the area & seek medical help |
Avoid outdoor activities & remain indoors. Leave the area if directed by Civil Defense |
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Advisory Scale:
- Good
- Moderate
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
- Unhealthy
- Very Unhealthy
- Hazardous
Air Quality Health Advisory Levels
Air quality at Kīlauea is affected by volcanic sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Unhealthy levels of these pollutants can occur within the park. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions are especially sensitive to poor air quality.
The map indicates the approximate direction of the volcanic gas plumes (gray wedges) from Halema‘uma‘u and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Colored circles show the current air quality conditions for sulfur dioxide and particulate matter at each monitoring site.
Meaning of Advisory Colors »
Sulfur Dioxide Health Effects »
Particulate Matter Health Effects »
Wind from the
Temperature
Humidity
