A medical advisory was issued in October regarding toxins in the ash tested in Kula. Read more here: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/files/2023/10/MEDICAL-ADVISORY-Maui-Fires-Toxins-in-Ash.pdf
Watch our video on information about lead toxicity here: https://youtu.be/kaL6yilngzQ?si=D4NoliSLLdkKid2G
Preliminary data from wild fire ash samples collected in Kula Maui have shown high levels of arsenic, lead and cobalt. Children are more at risk for lead exposure if they ingest it. You may be exposed to sources of lead in your every day environment like lead-based paint, contaminated, soil, contaminated, dust, and from products you use on a daily basis. Who should be tested for lead exposure 👇🏻 👩🏼⚕️ children, six months to six years of age with a positive screening questionnaire, done at most well visits or through your pediatrician. 👩🏼⚕️ children, nine months to 12 months of age, and at two years of age when the child has quest insurance or lives in a high risk ZIP Code for lead exposure or have any additional risk factors. Do your keiki live or receive childcare in a building built before 1978? Does anyone that spends time with your child work in home reconstruction , painting, boat repairs? Does your child often chew dirt or paint? If you answered, yes to any of the above, then your child may be at risk for lead poisoning.
Learn more about the Hawaii childhood lead poisoning prevention program at health.hawaii.gov children with special health needs branch
Source: hawaii.gov Brightfutures.org Liu J, Liu X, Wang W, McCauley L, Pinto-Martin J, Wang Y, Li L, Yan C, Rogan WJ. 2014. Blood lead levels and children’s behavioral and emotional problems: a cohort study. JAMA Pediatr; doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.332