Video

Video by Spc. Aven Santiago

Hawaii Soldiers monitor air quality during Hawaii lava flow

State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office

May 30, 2018 | 2:08

Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers are teaming up with civilian first responders as they monitor air levels around areas impacted by lava. The soldiers from the 93rd WMD-CST are checking for any hazardous air conditions as they patrol Hawaii County.

"We want to make sure that basically it’s safety," said Staff Sgt. Marc Aquino, 93rd CST. "For the civilians as well as the first responders and ensure that at any time they’re working or going about their lives that the designated area is safe to move."

Some of the areas they are monitoring include possible evacuation sites and landing zones for first responders. But not only is it the air that they’re testing, but the threat of acid rain as well. With the lava reaching the ocean, the chemicals in the fumes can rise and combine with the falling rain. That can make the rain itself acidic and dangerous

"With that in mind, that’s why we do paper tests," said Staff Sgt. Marc Aquino, 93rd CST. "We use these pH acid level tests that will help you determine that and it will give you a clear indicator. Not only does it help give us the pH levels of it but it also lets us know if our detection equipment is safe because they’re also susceptible to being damaged by that rain.”

The 93rd CST supporting the Hawaii County mission include Airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard, civilian first responders, well as soldiers from the California Army National Guard and Delaware Army National Guard.