03-06-2008, 05:39 PM
The tradewinds are back, so the VOG is not as bad on the East side, but if you need protection from VOG, here are some clarifications:
Vog is a particulate (SO2) that has acidic tendencies, so a regular dust mask is not sufficient
VOC's are volatile ORGANIC compounds (ie. HYDROCARBONS), so this type respirator would not be right.
There are acid disposable masks and cartridge masks available.
There is currently some issues on the efficacy of some of the disposable masks and cartridges that have been used for SO2. Luckily, Airgas/Gaspro is right in Hilo, so if you are here & the VOG effects you, you can always stop in for expert advice.
A 'breathing appartus' (term is normally used Self Contained Breathing Appartus, with a compressed air cylinder) isn't normally even used by those crazy, in-the-mouth-of-the-beast volcanologists! (I think because it slows them down when Pele gets tired of them!)
Vog is a particulate (SO2) that has acidic tendencies, so a regular dust mask is not sufficient
VOC's are volatile ORGANIC compounds (ie. HYDROCARBONS), so this type respirator would not be right.
There are acid disposable masks and cartridge masks available.
There is currently some issues on the efficacy of some of the disposable masks and cartridges that have been used for SO2. Luckily, Airgas/Gaspro is right in Hilo, so if you are here & the VOG effects you, you can always stop in for expert advice.
A 'breathing appartus' (term is normally used Self Contained Breathing Appartus, with a compressed air cylinder) isn't normally even used by those crazy, in-the-mouth-of-the-beast volcanologists! (I think because it slows them down when Pele gets tired of them!)