Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examined the lasting health effects of the August 2023 wildfires that destroyed Lāhainā on Maui and killed more than 100 people. The fires were among the deadliest in U.S. history and were caused by wind spreading a brushfire that started from downed power lines.
As part of the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, University of Hawai’i researchers analyzed urine samples from 1,400 adults and found substantially elevated concentrations of various metals including arsenic, cadmium, copper and antimony. The researchers reported that antimony levels were nearly 40 times higher in Maui participants compared to U.S. biomonitoring data, manganese was 3.8 times higher, barium was 2.3 times higher and arsenic was 2.2 times higher. These metals likely originated from burned buildings, vehicles, electronics and other materials destroyed in the fires.
The study found that higher metal concentrations in participants’ bodies correlated with abnormal lung function, including reduced breathing capacity and difficulty moving air in and out of the lungs during standard breathing tests. The respiratory effects aligned with geographic proximity to Lāhainā, Wailuku and Kahului, suggesting a connection to smoke and ash distribution patterns. Researchers noted that the study cannot definitively separate wildfire impacts from other chronic exposures, such as Hawai’i’s geology, diet, and historic agricultural and industrial activity, given the absence of comparable pre-fire data.
The findings highlight how major wildfires produce health consequences that extend well beyond the immediate emergency period. Experts note that wildfires are becoming larger, more intense and more frequent in certain regions due to climate change, making long-term health monitoring and recovery planning increasingly important considerations for affected communities and health systems.
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