(CNN) As volcanic eruptions spew toxic gas into the air, some residents of Hawaii's Big Island are frantically searching for masks for protection.

But the Hawaii Department of Health says "no commercial mask sold in stores" would actually do residents any good.

"I'm just worried about, you know, the air quality," resident Clayton Thomas told CNN affiliate KHNL/KGMB . He wanted to get a mask for his nephew, who has asthma, but went to five different stores with no luck.

At high concentrations, vog can cause headaches and irritation to the lungs and eyes, according to the University of Hawaii at Hilo. It can induce asthma attacks and cause shortness of breath or other respiratory problems.

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