Experts say preliminary results of Kula ash sampling indicate high levels of dangerous toxins

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Department of Health and Hawaii Department of Education held a media release discussing the results of preliminary, unvalidated data from ash sampling showing elevated levels of toxic substances in Maui.

Dr. Fink says they received ashes on Friday from eight Kula homes impacted by the wildfires that ranged in age from the 1930s to the 2000s.

Of the ash samples collected, high levels of lead, cobalt, and extremely high levels of arsenic were indicated in the results.

“The results may be generalizable to the materials burned in Lahaina, so we wanted to share this information as quickly as possible with the people of Maui.” Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health, said.

Once the EPA completes phase 1 of hazard removal, the DOH will oversee a collection of ash samples from Lahaina.

“The presence of the substances is not surprising, but the concentrations are indeed high.” Dr. Fink said.

The presence of arsenic is the DOH’s greatest concern, as it is 140 times above the environmental action level.

Dr. Fink says direct exposure to the ash is the most significant risk, and ingestion of the ash would be the greatest exposure.

He encourages anyone going in and out of the area to continue wearing PPE masks and to avoid disrupting the ash as much as possible.

Dr. Fink strongly recommends against pregnant women and children entering the impacted area. He also recommends that people outside the impacted area be mindful of the risks.

Find out more information about the air monitors being used to monitor the air here.

Keith Hayashi, Superintendent of Hawaii State Department of Education, says that the reopening of Lahaina schools for in-person learning is critical to the well-being of the students and the Lahaina community.

They will continue to work with the Department of Health and continue their extensive environmental testing and air quality monitoring to ensure a safe environment for students.

“We’ve been reassured the likelihood of the conditions at schools will become harmful in the near future is very low. Still, we revised our safety guidelines to be extra cautious,” Keith Hayashi said.

Lahaina schools will continue to be reopened starting Monday.

The soil and drinking water that they’ve tested have all come back safe. With no visible ash present at the schools or has been indicated in any testing.

They’ve also had specialized interior and exterior cleaning at all the schools.

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