The lava flow above Pahoa is inspiring innovative ideas from students about how to deal with its effects.
The lava flow above Pahoa is inspiring innovative ideas from students about how to deal with its effects.
Students from the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science came up with an idea for an air scrubber for volcanic smog, or vog. The scrubber pulls vog from the air with a fan and neutralizes acidity with a compound similar to baking soda.
As of Monday, Pahoa’s ACE Hardware was selling parts for the scrubber for $100.
A scrubber assembled by the students goes for $150. The extra $50 will go to the Big Island school’s science, technology, engineering and math program to help fund future research.
“It feels good to be able to help our community,” student Logan Treaster said.
The 17-year-old senior was personally affected by the vog when a classmate had to move away because of sensitivity to it.
Health officials previously advised people living near the lava flow to prepare for smoke from burning vegetation, along with low levels of sulfur dioxide. Residents with respiratory problems should take precautions and stay indoors, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
“It smells like rotten eggs,” Treaster said of the odor that permeates the area almost daily.
The students also have come up with other lava-related ideas, including one similar to new technology a power company is using to protect poles in the flow’s path. They also have shared thoughts about a water-cooled bridge that would let drivers cross lava-covered roads.
“We teach giving back,” teacher Eric Clause said. “I also teach the kids: You can work the problem — or you can let the problem work you.”