Maui officials and scientists warn that after the flames flicker out, toxic particles will remain

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Maui authorities and scientists are issuing warnings that even after the flames have been extinguished, hazardous particles will persist. When wildfires raged through the western part of Maui, including Lahaina town, the local residents witnessed the release of toxic fumes into the atmosphere as homes, pipes, and vehicles burned. These materials, such as rubber, metal, and plastic, were transformed into harmful particulate-laden smoke.

Thomas Leonard, a retired mailman and Vietnam veteran, heard an explosion as a propane tank nearby blew up, creating a cloud reminiscent of a massive mushroom. Mike Cicchino, a 37-year-old who grew up on Maui, gauged the proximity of the flames by the sound of exploding gas tanks in cars. Taking refuge in the ocean, he experienced physical discomfort, with swollen eyes, aching ribs, and vomiting.

The devastation prompted approximately 46,000 residents and visitors to leave West Maui, with more than 90 fatalities and extensive damage reported. Beyond the loss of life and property, officials are concerned about the lingering toxic remnants in areas affected by the fire. Some residents have started returning to their homes, encountering melted vehicles, flattened houses, and scorched elevator shafts where apartments once stood. However, authorities emphasize that even in areas where the immediate destruction has subsided, it’s still unsafe to return, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is assessing potential hazards.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen emphasized the hazardous conditions in a news conference, stating that experts are present for a reason and that rushing back would only endanger people’s health. Hawaii’s state toxicologist Diana Felton mentioned that it could take considerable time to clean up the pollutants.

Scientists’ warnings about the aftermath of fires are taken seriously by officials. Lasting health risks can remain in the air and water even after fires are extinguished, leading to prolonged recovery efforts, exacerbating residents’ suffering, and complicating the island’s tourism-driven economy.

Toxicologist Andrew Whelton from Purdue University’s Center for Plumbing Safety noted that fires like the one in Maui create a trail of destruction that includes a variety of unpredictable toxins due to burning various materials. Airborne pollutants settle on the ground and must be carefully removed by emergency teams to prevent inhalation. Melted pipes also pose a threat to water supplies, as seen in the unsafe water alert issued for certain areas. Even though these hazards might be less visible than charred landscapes, they can extend beyond the burnt zones due to the dispersion of smoke plumes.

Whelton advises people returning to affected areas to take precautions such as wearing protective gear, covering limbs, and following evacuation orders to avoid exposure to hazardous particles.

(Original text source: Associated Press)

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More about Wildfire aftermath

• Associated Press
• Hawaii Tourism Authority
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Purdue University’s Center for Plumbing Safety
• Hawaii Public Radio