Breathing

Maui Wildfire Ash Contains High Levels Of Arsenic

At a Glance

Arsenic exposure is linked to skin and heart problems and certain types of cancer.
Other toxins found in the wildfire ashes include cobalt and lead.
No one knows when residents can return to Lahaina.

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High levels of arsenic have been found in ash on Maui, posing a potential health risk to anyone exposed to the debris from wildfires that damaged or destroyed thousands of buildings and claimed the lives of at least 98 people in early August.

The findings, along with warnings to avoid contact with the ash, were announced in a news release Sunday from the Hawaii Department of Health.

The preliminary analysis of ash from the remains of eight homes burned in the community of Kula also show other toxins including lead and cobalt.

(MORE: West Maui Begins Reopening To Tourists)

The blaze was one of several fires fueled by high winds and dry conditions in central and western Maui, including one that leveled the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8. Officials expect to find similar toxins in the piles of ash there.

Where Did The Arsenic Come From And Why Is It Dangerous?

LAHAINA, HAWAII - OCTOBER 09: Volunteers from Samaritan's Purse help a daughter search for family items in the rubble of her mother's wildfire destroyed home on October 09, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Volunteers from Samaritan's Purse helped displaced residents and family members search for meaningful personal belongings at several destroyed homes in the area. The wind-whipped wildfire on August 8th killed at least 98 people while displacing thousands more and destroying over 2,000 buildings in the historic town, most of which were homes. A phased reopening of tourist resort areas in west Maui began October 8th on the two-month anniversary of the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) — Volunteers from Samaritan's Purse help a daughter search for family items in the rubble of her mother's wildfire destroyed home on Oct. 9, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Health officials say the ash contains toxins including high levels of arsenic.
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Arsenic is present in building materials made from sugar cane, commonly used in some older buildings in Hawaii. It’s also found in Hawaii’s volcanic soils.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and heart problems and cancer of the skin, bladder and lung.

(MORE: What Wildfire Smoke Does To Your Body)

Wildfire ash is known to contain all kinds of toxins from metal, paint, wood, chemicals and anything else that might burn in a fire. But the high concentration of arsenic is of particular concern to Hawaii health officials.

“While the presence of these substances is not unexpected, the concentration of arsenic in particular demonstrates the high toxicity of the ash and reinforces the importance of avoiding exposure to the ash," State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink said.

Parents Worry Air Isn't Safe For Kids To Breathe

LAHAINA, HAWAII - OCTOBER 06: Community members hold hands in a prayer circle at a 'Lahaina Strong' gathering on October 6, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Community members painted signs expressing their opposition to the October 8th start of tourists returning to west Maui following the devastating wildfire. The wind-whipped wildfire on August 8th killed at least 98 people while displacing thousands more and destroying over 2,000 buildings in the historic town, most of which were homes. A phased reopening of tourist resort areas in west Maui is set to begin October 8th on the two-month anniversary of the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history. Many local residents feel that the community needs more time to grieve and heal before reopening to tourism. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) — LAHAINA, HAWAII - OCTOBER 06: Community members hold hands in a prayer circle at a 'Lahaina Strong' gathering on October 6, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Community members painted signs expressing their opposition to the October 8th start of tourists returning to west Maui following the devastating wildfire. The wind-whipped wildfire on August 8th killed at least 98 people while displacing thousands more and destroying over 2,000 buildings in the historic town, most of which were homes. A phased reopening of tourist resort areas in west Maui is set to begin October 8th on the two-month anniversary of the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history. Many local residents feel that the community needs more time to grieve and heal before reopening to tourism.
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Concern over toxins in the wildfire debris is one reason access to Lahaina is still being strictly monitored more than two months after the historic town burned.

It’s also giving parents pause over sending children back to schools that are beginning to reopen in areas nearby. Many are concerned about the potential for health issues both now and in the future.

“I feel like it’s like back to COVID, where every decision you make is wrong and you’re, like, putting your kids' lives at risk,” Debbie Tau, who has two school-aged children, told The Associated Press.

Tau worries the air isn’t safe for her children to breathe, and plans to keep them in a different school farther away.

(MORE: 911 Calls From Deadly Lahaina Wildfire Show Residents' Terror And Desperation To Escape)

School officials say they are monitoring the air quality and taking other steps to help make sure students aren’t exposed to toxins from the ash.

“The Department of Education continues to strongly believe that reopening our Lāhainā schools for in-person learning is critical for the well-being of our students and the community. We have been reassured that our campuses are safe for students and staff to be at based on current air quality conditions and the extensive environmental testing we’ve done over the last several weeks,” DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi said in the news release.

No One Knows When Residents Can Return To Lahaina

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Charred remains of an apartment complex is seen in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii ,on Aug. 12, 2023. (Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images)

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Charred remains of an apartment complex is seen in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii ,on Aug. 12, 2023. (Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images)

The Health Department says anyone in the area should take steps to limit contact with toxins in wildfire debris.

“It’s important to remember that people can take action to minimize their exposure to these contaminants, including avoiding disruption of ash and wearing proper PPE when in impacted areas,” Fink said. “In addition, for people near the impacted areas, keeping surfaces clean of dust and ash and frequent handwashing will greatly reduce exposure.”

(MORE: Veteran Firefighter Describes Search Through Ashes of Lahaina Fire)

There is no specific timeline for when residents might be allowed to return to Lahaina. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has said it could be up to two years before people can even begin rebuilding their homes and disaster experts say it will take much longer than that to recover.

About 13,000 people lived in Lahaina before the wildfire disaster.

Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.

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