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Hey all,
Everyone on this forum seems so helpful so I thought this would be a great place to ask how bad the VOG emissions/forest fires are and if there were any asthma sufferers out there that are experiencing complications due to the recent flow.
We finally have an opportunity to move back to the island this summer but we have two kids now - one of which has been having a heck of a time with her asthma.
We're currently in the Bay Area and we frequently have spare the air days and the particulate matter in the air is frequently in the 100 PPM range. From what I see online, a bad day in Puna is in the 50 PPM range..
Any asthma sufferers out there that could give some insight?
Thanks!
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I had respiratory problems when I lived in Oregon and Alaska and they have all but gone away since I moved here. There are many different respiratory triggers. Mine was mold/mildew spores that either don't exist here or are flushed out by the fact that our windows are always open (something we couldn't do in SE Alaska). The vog doesn't seem to bother me. My elderly mom has the combo platter of respiratory problems and is no worse off when she visits here than she is at home on the mainland. I make her take her inhaler when we go to Kona, the volcano, etc but she has never had to use it. Many asthma triggers are biological in origin (mold spores, skin cells, cockroach feces dust, etc) and the sulfur dioxide vog while irritating to healthy people, may not be necessarily "more irritating" to people with asthma, especially if the biological triggers are removed because the windows are open and... well... people tend to spend more time outside in Hawaii than elsewhere.
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I never had asthma until I moved to Japan. (It was likely a combination of the mold/mildew and certain kinds of pollen.) I've had occasional touches of asthma in spring and fall since moving here, but nothing serious, not even close to Japan. As for vog, I'm more sensitive than some (my wife hardly notices it), but less sensitive than others. Here in Hawaiian Shores the vog hasn't been too bad, although admittedly worse than in previous years.
In addition to sensitivity factors, goes without saying that air quality is greatly influenced by what part of the island you'll be residing, and which way the wind is blowing on any given day.
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
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I have had pretty bad asthma living just down the street from terracore (the big island).
However I never had any issues when I was working up in the national park.
When I was living in Honolulu it went away completely.
When I was living in the Bay Area it went away completely also.
I understand the association with triggers but have yet to identify any rhyme or reason for my asthma ailment.
It may be that regardless of how it affects other individuals your kid may or may not suffer. Hope the best for them it's a terrible imposition upon growing up.
Aloha mai kakou
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Joined: Feb 2015
Thanks to everyone that responded.. you've helped ease our fears as this is the only issue that is holding us back.
we understand triggers, but haven't been able to find rhyme or reason with our daughter other than the really bad attacks happen at 3am on holiday weekends... (doesn't it always work that way with kids?)
We had her tested but so far the only thing that sets her off on a regular basis is cats.
Knock on wood, she has been getting better and using her inhaler less and less since her last major attack, we just don't want to be back in the ICU again.
