Toxic gas alert for Hawaii eruption; new areas at risk

By Terray Sylvester PAHOA, Hawaii (Reuters) - Hawaii residents were alerted on Thursday to rising levels of toxic gas from volcanic fissures and geologists warned that new areas east of the erupting Kilauea volcano may be at risk to lava bursting from the ground. Hawaii County authorities sent a text message to residents in the southeast corner of the Big Island that a wind change would bring rising levels of sulfur dioxide gas, which is fatal if inhaled in large quantities. "Due to decreasing tradewinds, residents are advised to monitor their sensitivity to increased levels of SO2," the text message sent at 9.22 a.m. said.