Scientists: Toxic Metal Exposure Persists Months After Wildfires

A PNAS study tested urine from 1,400 adults 6–18 months after the 2023 Maui wildfires. Antimony levels were 40 times national reference values, manganese 3.8 times, barium 2.3 times and arsenic 2.2 times; higher metal burden was linked to abnormal lung function.

• Urinary antimony was 40 times national reference values, manganese 3.8 times
• Arsenic and cadmium showed the strongest links to poor lung function
• The 2023 Maui fires destroyed over 2,200 structures, causing $5.5 billion in damage
• Researchers suspect continued exposure via ash, soil and resuspended dust