Maui residents advised to use PPE due to hazardous air and debris post-wildfires.

Residents on the Hawaiian island of Maui​ have been urged not to drink tap​ water and to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) amid an increased risk of toxic‍ chemicals in the air in⁣ the⁤ wake of devastating and fatal wildfires that left 115 dead.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Aug. 23 that it had⁤ begun removing and disposing of hazardous waste materials, including paints, cleaners, solvents, oils, batteries, and pesticides, from homes in Kula and Olinda impacted by the⁣ wildfires and⁣ would later begin identifying​ and removing items thought to contain asbestos as part of ⁣its second phase of the removal process.

Days⁣ later on Aug.⁤ 29, the EPA said officials would begin the same process in ‍Lahaina,​ in correlation ‍with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),​ and with​ support⁣ from the U.S. ⁢Army Corps of Engineers.

After they are removed, the hazardous materials will be shipped to the U.S. mainland where they will be ‌properly disposed⁢ of, officials said, ‍noting that during the removal process, the EPA will continuously monitor the air for fine particles of dust.

Additionally, the EPA said officials will spray a non-toxic and biodegradable adhesive known as ⁣”Soiltac” on ash on ‌burned properties and structures in order to prevent the ash from blowing off the property and limiting runoff.

In ⁣the meantime,​ the Hawaii Department ​of Health and⁢ Maui County have tested the water⁢ for some​ contaminants, and warned residents not to drink ⁢tap water—even ‍if it’s boiled—and instead use⁤ bottled water for all‍ drinking,⁣ brushing teeth, ice-making, and food preparation until further notice.

“Residents are ⁣unable ⁣to treat the water in any way to make it safe,” health officials said.

The Department ‍of Health (DOH) has also​ recommended individuals wear ⁤PPE during ​clean-up efforts to ⁤avoid skin contact, noting that burn areas are extremely hazardous.

Residents Urged to Wear‌ PPE

“DOH advises avoiding the ⁣burn area until search ​and⁣ recovery efforts are completed and it is cleared ‍of hazard materials and structural ash,” health ⁣officials said. ⁢”Those near the burn site should wear⁢ protective face masks, goggles, gloves, long-sleeves, pants, ​socks, and shoes to avoid skin contact ‌with ash.”

DOH ⁢recommends wearing a tight-fitting respirator mask approved by‌ the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or with ‌N95 printed ⁤on it.

“Please take necessary precautions ​and seek medical assistance if feeling unwell. ⁣Children and pregnant people are at⁢ higher risk from the debris​ hazards and ⁤should ⁤not ⁢help with clean-up efforts,” DOH said. “Top hazard concerns in the burn area include unstable structures,‌ debris, and toxic contaminants ⁤present in​ debris and ash. Other ⁣heavy metals and chemicals may also be‌ present in‍ ash after a wildfire and could present a hazard,” officials added.

Additionally, health officials have advised residents—in particular children, the elderly, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions such as asthma ⁢and chronic‍ obstructive pulmonary disease—to limit outdoor⁢ activities to reduce exposure and minimize health risks, while those staying indoors are advised to ⁤close all windows and doors.

However, the warnings may⁤ be too late ‌for some, according to Maui County ⁤Councilmember Tamara Paltin, who chairs⁣ the Disaster, Resilience, International Affairs, and Planning Committee.

Ms. Paltin ‍ told CBS News that some individuals ⁢who volunteered as part of the clean-up ⁤operation have already reported adverse effects from what she‌ believes ⁣are “toxic”​ materials left behind in the wake ‌of the​ wildfires.

“The arsenic,‍ the ‍asbestos, the lead. Close to the burnt ​zone, we’ve heard from volunteers having⁣ adverse effects,” she said. “One lady ‌I had heard was coughing ⁤up blood after being there a number of days.”

Another resident, Kekoa Lansford, claimed he had experienced​ issues with breathing and was ⁢”coughing up ‌black stuff and nasty stuff” following the wildfires.

‘Burning Feeling in Chest’

Elsewhere, resident Kiley Adolpho told the publication that she⁢ was left with⁣ a “burning feeling in the chest” and throat while in an area known as ⁢the Red ⁤Zone, where many evacuations took place.

“I definitely need to use a respirator,” she said. “It protects you from dust, fine particles, but not the toxic air. And I’ve been here for two weeks now.”

Ms.‌ Adolpho ​said she believes the problems ‍will likely lead ⁢to⁣ long-term effects, telling CBS, “Come‍ back ⁢20 years later, 10 years later and ⁤you’ll see”