A room air cleaner can be effective in reducing levels of SO2 and/or PM2.5 from the air. Those living close to eruptive vents need protection from both SO2 and PM2.5, so will need a specialized air cleaner which has both a HEPA (PM2.5) filter and an acid gas (SO2) filter (e.g. activated carbon or other sorbent). Those living further from the vent can use an air cleaner designed to filter fine particles only (HEPA) since they are not exposed to substantial amounts of SO2.
Quality room air cleaners can be expensive and are designed for a room that can be closed-off from the rest of the house and the outdoors. Periodic filter replacement and other maintenance is required for air cleaners to perform as designed.
Acid gases and particles dissolve readily in water. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can help improve indoor air quality by removing gas and particle rich moisture in the air.
1. EPA ‘Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home’EPA
Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home – Background information for selection of the home air cleaner that may be best for addressing specific types of contaminants.
www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home
Specific information on removing gaseous pollutants within this website:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home#gaseous-pollutant
2. Association of Home Appliance ManufacturersAHAM
Certification program for air cleaners that filter particulates, and information on many brands and models of air cleaners.
Contact us or provide feedbackThe Interagency Vog Dashboard is the result of a partnership between the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (Durham University, UK), Hawaii State Department of Health, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, the National Park Service, County of Hawaiʻi (Mayor's Office), CSAV (University of Hawaiʻi), NOAA (National Weather Service) and the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.
The interagency partnership was set up to implement recommendations from a collaborative study between Dr Claire Horwell and the USGS, funded by the British Council Researcher Links Programme and Durham University, UK.
Last updated: September 2024