The Hawaii National Guard calls it a three step process.

Sulphur Dioxide has been identified spewing from Kilauea Volcano.
It is being monitored.
And now health experts are trying to determine risks involved with exposure to SO2.

Federal, state, and Big Island county officials have ventured into new territory the past few months in the name of public safety.

"We had none of that in place prior to april. and again thank to all the partnership we had with all the agencies, mainly the 93rd, we were able top put that together so now we have some form of monitoring system in place that can be used as a tool," says Chief Darryly Oliveira, Hawaii Fire Department.

So in stepped the Hawaii National Guard's support team against weapons of mass destruction or chemical threats.

"In this particular case kilauea was producing sulphur dioxide levels that were of concern, and that exceeded the county's ability to respond to it effectively," says Lt. Colonel Trey Johnson, Hawaii National Guard.

State and federal officials quickly set up monitoring systems to keep a check on SO2 levels.

"That's in place right now. that wasn't in place early march. where we're at right now is the risk assessment, determine the impacts on health, agriculture, water catchment systems," says Lt. Colonel Trey Johnson.

The monitoring isn't a new idea...it's just being used for something it never has been used for before.

"And then once it gets into the air it's more of an air quality and health issue that we're ill equipped to deal with. so, i'm glad that the county and state are stepping in and doing that," says Jim Kauahikaua, U.S. Geological Survey.

State lawmakers were briefed about the latest efforts on the Big Island.

They were told of hopes of expanding the monitoring to hospitals and schools.

"Using the school as an example administrators can say there is no recess activity outdoor today. We'll curtail P.E. things like that, just simple proactive,protective measures that they can implement," says Oliveira.

As for when sulphur dioxide emissions may end.

"It will certainly end at some point temporarily. But Kilauea is going to be an active volcano for longer than you or I care about," says Kauahikaua.

And likely to keep officials on the Big Island busy for some time.