Maui wildfire survivors show elevated toxic metal levels and lung issues

New research from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa indicates that residents living near the site of the 2023 Maui wildfires show elevated levels of toxic metals in their systems up to 18 months after the disaster. The study, part of the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study (MauiWES), analyzed biological and lung-function data from 1,400 adults.

Researchers found that concentrations of several metals were significantly higher than US biomonitoring reference data. Specifically, antimony levels were nearly 40 times higher, manganese was 3.8 times higher, barium was 2.3 times higher, and arsenic was 2.2 times higher. Higher combined metal exposure was associated with abnormal pulmonary function, with arsenic, cadmium, copper, and antimony making particularly strong contributions to these respiratory issues.

The study suggests that wildfires in developed areas create a complex mixture of chemical exposures. Unlike fires involving only vegetation, these disasters burn buildings, vehicles, electronics, and infrastructure, releasing contaminants into the smoke, ash, and soil. Researchers emphasize that post-wildfire air quality and environmental monitoring must be conducted over the long term to address these lasting health risks.