January 7, 2025
Hawai’i residents have for generations endured serious health risks from exposure to arsenic and other toxic chemicals used in herbicides and pesticides in industrial-scale agriculture, including sugar cane and pineapple fields.
That legacy of toxic contamination is continuing to victimize Maui residents struggling to rebuild following the August 2023 fires that destroyed the town of Lahaina.
As the rebuilding process slowly proceeds, survivors are discovering that toxic contamination caused by the fire has created health risks for decades to come. In addition to pesticides and herbicides that were disturbed by the fire, residents are also faced with exposure to debris containing asbestos, lead-based paint and other dangerous chemicals.
The Hawaii Department of Health has published results of environmental tests showing exactly what chemicals are present in the air, water and soil. Some areas of the island still have unsafe water, meaning residents must use bottled water instead of municipal water to drink, prepare food and personal hygiene. Lahaina residents can only visit the town briefly and are required to take precautions and wear protective gear when they do.
According to lawsuits filed by victims and their families, the fires that destroyed Lahaina started after a Hawai’i Electric Company (HECO) power line toppled in high winds. Despite warnings that high winds had created an extreme fire hazard, HECO neglected to shut down power as a precaution. The lines not only sparked the fire, but live wires on the ground hindered evacuations and delayed first responders.
Health Risks from Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
Even after Lahaina is rebuilt, residents are likely to face lingering health concerns. Many health problems, such as those related to exposure to asbestos, may not even show up for years.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung damage, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the membranes that surround internal organs. Exposure to lead can slow physical and mental development and cause behavioral issues and learning delays in children.
Arsenic is also of grave concern. Exposure to arsenic causes nausea, chest pain, difficulty breathing and low blood pressure. Long-term exposure is linked to skin conditions, digestive issues, and, in serious cases, death.
How does exposure to hazardous and toxic chemicals cause health problems?
Asbestos and lead may enter the lungs and bloodstream through inhalation of fine particles in smoke and ash. When chemicals are discharged in the water, ingestion through tainted water is the main way people are exposed.
How does asbestos exposure cause mesothelioma?
When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled, they work their way into lung tissue and the surrounding tissues over time. The resulting inflammation can cause cancerous cells to grow. This process can take many years. The problem with mesothelioma is that the symptoms may be mistaken for other more common ailments and diagnosis may not happen until the cancer has progressed.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Breathing difficulties and pain in the chest or abdomen are common symptoms of mesothelioma. A persistent cough, shortness of breath, a feeling as if you have something stuck in your throat, problems swallowing, and pain in the side or lower back may also be symptoms.
How We Help Victims of Asbestos Exposure
Seek justice with the help of our experienced asbestos attorneys. Our asbestos law firm has represented individuals like you affected by asbestos exposure for over 20 years, aggressively fighting the corporate giants responsible for their dangerous products. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos or suffered from a disease caused by asbestos, like mesothelioma, we can help.
Our Results
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A Philadelphia jury awarded a record verdict against ExxonMobil for failing to warn about cancer risks due to benzene in its petroleum products.
Confidential settlement for the wife of a Rhode Island man who died of mesothelioma cancer after exposure to window glazing compound contaminated with asbestos.
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