Meghan Hodges
Hawaii has some of the cleanest air in the United States, according to the American Lung Association's 2019 State of the Air report. Honolulu, the state's largest city and capital, is tied for first place for the cleanest air in the country in terms of year-round particle pollution. The city has also had no unhealthy air days for ozone pollution. However, the combination of fumes and emissions from vehicles can lead to temporary rises in air pollution. This is a concern in Hawaii, particularly in areas with a large volume of vehicles. Additionally, the primary pollutants given off by vehicles can be converted into ozone when exposed to high levels of solar radiation, which is abundant in Hawaii during the hotter months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ozone pollution | No unhealthy air days for ozone pollution in Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Particle pollution | Honolulu, Hawaii PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI is 14 |
| Honolulu, Hawaii PM10 (respirable particulate matter) AQI is 11 | |
| Honolulu had a new record low for an annual average of particle pollution | |
| Health effects | Can increase the risk of premature death and other serious health effects such as lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm |
| Short-term spikes in particle pollution can kill | |
| Year-round exposure to particle pollution is linked to a wide array of serious health effects at every stage of life | |
| Ozone air pollution is a powerful lung irritant |
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What You'll Learn
Honolulu's air quality is good
Honolulu, Hawaii's capital and largest city, has some of the cleanest air in the United States. Notably, the city had no unhealthy air days for ozone pollution, according to the American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report. This is particularly impressive given that ozone levels increased in most cities nationwide during the period examined in the report (2015-2017).
Honolulu's air quality continues to be good, with readings taken in mid-2021 showing very good levels. The city's air is significantly free from smoke, haze, and damaging particles that are commonly found in more polluted cities worldwide. The PM2.5 concentration in the air was found to be within the World Health Organization's (WHO) exposure recommendation. Other readings taken over June and July 2021 also remained in the 'good' rating bracket, with numbers such as 16, 18, and a high of 21.
Honolulu County recorded a new low for annual average particle pollution, with levels less than half of the highest ever recorded in 2009-2011. This is significant because particle pollution, or soot, is a deadly and growing threat to public health. Short-term spikes in particle pollution can be fatal, and long-term exposure has been linked to serious health effects at every stage of life.
While Honolulu's air quality is commendable, there are concerns about the impact of climate change and increasing heat levels. As a tropical location with abundant solar radiation, Honolulu is vulnerable to the creation of secondary pollutants like ozone, which forms when primary pollutants from vehicles and other sources are exposed to high levels of sunlight. Nevertheless, Honolulu's air quality remains among the best in the United States and the world.
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Vehicle fumes and emissions
While Honolulu, the largest city in Hawaii, has consistently ranked among the cities with the least ozone air pollution in the United States, vehicle emissions still contribute to the overall air quality issues in the area. The combination of a large number of cars and motorbikes on the roads, as well as the high temperatures, can lead to temporary rises in air pollution levels.
Additionally, vehicles can emit microscopic rubber particles over time due to the wear and tear of tire treads. These particles can build up in the environment, including the soil and bodies of water, and pose risks to human health when inhaled. The state of Hawaii's reliance on fossil fuels for power plants also contributes to air pollution, with the combustion of oil, coal, and other fossil fuels releasing various chemical compounds and pollutants into the atmosphere.
To mitigate the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality, Hawaii has implemented an electric vehicle incentive program for vehicle owners with four or more wheeled vehicles that can store a minimum of four hours of energy and recharge externally. This program encourages the use of low-emission transportation, and many residents also opt for scooters, mopeds, or other low-emission options due to the high gas prices in the state. However, there are currently no vehicle emissions test requirements in Hawaii, which could impact the effectiveness of emissions reduction efforts.
Overall, while Oahu, Hawaii, enjoys some of the cleanest air quality in the United States, vehicle fumes and emissions remain a concern, particularly during periods of high temperatures or when there is a large volume of vehicular traffic. The health impacts of air pollution, including particle pollution and ozone exposure, are well-documented, and continued efforts to reduce vehicle emissions are important to maintain the air quality in the region.
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Health effects of particle pollution
Hawaii has some of the cleanest air in the United States, according to the American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report. Honolulu, the state's capital and largest city, is tied for first place for the cleanest air quality in the nation. However, despite Honolulu's generally good air quality, there are still potential health risks associated with particle pollution on the island of Oahu.
Particle pollution, or soot, is one of the two most widespread outdoor air pollutants, the other being ozone pollution or smog. These particles are grouped according to size as coarse, fine, and ultrafine. Coarse particles fall between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter, while fine particles are 2.5 micrometers or smaller, and ultrafine particles are smaller than 0.1 micrometers in diameter. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems, with smaller particles being more harmful.
Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main cause of reduced visibility or haze. They are small enough to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and causing short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to fine particles can also affect heart and lung function, worsening medical conditions like heart disease and asthma, and increasing the risk of heart attacks. Studies have linked increases in daily PM2.5 exposure with higher hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and deaths. Long-term exposure to fine particles has been associated with increased mortality from heart disease, higher rates of chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and lung cancer.
Ultrafine particles are so small that they can pass through the lungs into the bloodstream, just like essential oxygen molecules. Both short-term acute exposure to high levels and long-term chronic exposure to low levels of particle pollution can cause serious harm. Short-term exposure to fine particles can trigger cardiovascular events, hospitalization, and mortality. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of strokes, coronary heart disease, and premature death.
People with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, children, older adults, minority populations, and low socioeconomic status populations are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. In Honolulu, primary sources of particle pollution include vehicle emissions, which can include gases, chemical compounds, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that can be converted into ozone when exposed to high levels of solar radiation. While Honolulu's air quality is generally good, it may be at risk of being negatively affected by changes in climate and increasing heat levels.
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Sources of air quality data
The air quality in Oahu, Hawaii, is measured by aggregating data on the main pollutants found in the air, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and the two main forms of fine particles, PM2.5 and PM10. These pollutants are measured by the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Clean Air Branch, and Air Now - US EPA. The data is available in near real-time from specific stationary monitoring stations on a continuous basis. The data is normally displayed within one hour of collection, and the time displayed represents the end time of the hourly average. For example, 11 am represents the hourly average reading from 10 am to 11 am.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a uniform indicator of daily air quality and a general guide for the public. The AQI takes into account the various pollutants measured and provides an overall rating for the air quality. The AQI rating for Honolulu, Hawaii, is 26, which is considered good. The individual ratings for the pollutants in Honolulu are as follows:
- PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI: 26
- PM10 (respirable particulate matter) AQI: 17
- NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) AQI: n/a
- SO2 (sulfur dioxide) AQI: 2
- CO (carbon monoxide) AQI: 0
- O3 (ozone) AQI: n/a
While Honolulu has maintained good air quality throughout the year, there are still sources of pollution that cause temporary elevations in the US AQI and PM2.5 readings. These sources include vehicle emissions, construction sites, road repairs, and earth-disturbing activities. Vehicle emissions, in particular, can be converted into ozone when exposed to high levels of solar radiation, which is abundant in Hawaii during the hotter months.
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Climate change and air quality
The American Lung Association's 2019 "State of the Air" report found that Hawaii has some of the cleanest air in the US. Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu, is Hawaii's capital and largest city, with over 337,000 inhabitants as of 2010. The report revealed that Honolulu had no unhealthy air days for ozone pollution and tied for first place for the lowest annual levels of particle pollution among 25 cities. This is a significant improvement from the highest levels recorded in 2009-2011.
However, climate change and increasing heat levels pose a threat to Honolulu's air quality. While Honolulu's air is significantly free from smoke, haze, and other damaging particles, temporary rises in air pollution can occur due to fumes and emissions from vehicles, particularly during hotter months when solar radiation is higher. The primary pollutants released by vehicles, such as gases, chemical compounds, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), can contribute to the formation of ozone, a powerful lung irritant.
Ozone pollution, also known as smog, is one of the most widespread pollutants in the United States. When inhaled, ozone reacts with the delicate lining of the airways, causing inflammation and damage that can impact multiple body systems. Short-term spikes in particle pollution, lasting from a few hours to a few days, can have deadly consequences, with most premature deaths attributed to respiratory and cardiovascular causes.
To maintain good air quality in Oahu, it is crucial to address the impact of climate change and implement measures to reduce vehicle emissions, as well as continue monitoring and mitigating other sources of air pollution. While Honolulu has consistently demonstrated clean air quality readings, the potential influence of climate change underscores the importance of proactive measures to safeguard the health and well-being of Oahu's residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Honolulu, the largest city in Hawaii, has some of the cleanest air in the U.S. and continues to show very good levels of air quality in more recent times, with readings taken in mid-2021 also looking positive.
Honolulu had no unhealthy air days for ozone pollution according to a 2019 report. However, ozone levels have increased in most cities nationwide, partly due to record-breaking global heat.
Honolulu County had a new record low for an annual average of particle pollution, and it was less than half the highest-ever level recorded in 2009-2011. However, particle pollution is a growing threat to public health, and temporary rises in air pollution can be caused by fumes and emissions from vehicles.
