CHARACTERIZATION OF AIR CONTAMINANTS FORMED BY THE INTERACTION OF LAVA AND SEA-WATER

We made environmental measurements to characterize contaminants genera ted when basaltic lava from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano enters sea water. This interaction of lava with sea water produces large clouds of mist (LAZE). Island winds occasionally directed the LAZE toward the adjace nt village of Kalapana and the Hawaii Volcanos National Park, creating health concerns. Environmental samples were taken to measure air-born e concentrations of respirable dust, crystalline silica and other mine ral compounds, fibers, trace metals, inorganic acids, and organic and inorganic gases. The LAZE contained quantifiable concentrations of hyd rochloric acid (HCL) and hydrofluoric acid (HF); HCl was predominant. HCl and HF concentrations were highest in dense plumes of LAZE near th e sea. The HCl concentrations at this sampling location averaged 7.1 p pm; this exceeds the current occupational exposure ceiling of 5 ppm. H F was detected in nearly half the samples, but all concentrations were <1 ppm. Sulfur dioxide was detected in one of four short-term indicat or tube samples at approximately 1.5 ppm. Airborne particulates were c omposed largely of chloride salts (predominantly sodium chloride). Cry stalline silica concentrations were below detectable limits, less than approximately 0.03 mg/m(3) of air. Settled dust samples showed a pred ominance of glass flakes and glass fibers. Airborne fibers were detect ed at quantifiable levels in 1 of 11 samples. These fibers were compos ed largely of hydrated calcium sulfate. These findings suggest that in dividuals should avoid concentrated plumes of LAZE near its origin to prevent over exposure to inorganic acids, specifically HCl.