When The Biggest Tourist Attraction Is The Biggest Polluter

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano is the state's most popular tourist attractions, but also by far the state's worst source of air pollution.

1 minute read

May 18, 2005, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Since it began erupting on Jan. 3, 1983, the volcano has been sending an average of 1,000 metric tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere each day, according to the Hawaii chapter of the American Lung Association.

...The sulfur dioxide from Kilauea reacts with other chemicals in the air to form a hazy, naturally occurring pollution known locally as "vog," or volcanic smog. When the lava enters the ocean, concentrations of hydrochloric acid are also formed."

Thanks to Tom Kinsale

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 in Environmental News Network

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