The Hawaii State Department of Health issued a warning that wildfire ash could be contaminated with harmful asbestos.

Recent wildfires have devastated Maui, with a significant death toll. But another danger lurks: Asbestos.

Maui, the second largest Hawaiian island, is renowned for its natural beauty, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture. Sadly, this paradise has been recently ravaged by wildfires. Climate change and prolonged droughts have exacerbated the situation, rendering the island more susceptible to fire outbreaks.

The death toll from last week’s Maui fires is the highest the United States has seen from wildfires in over a century. Survivors wanting to return to the island and sift through the remains of a life gone up in flames, are still not free of danger. Amidst the ongoing wildfire devastation, Hawaii’s Department of Health has issued a warning over toxic substances in the ash raining down on the state, including the cancer-causing mineral asbestos. ¹

Si cree que estuvo expuesto al asbesto, incluso cuando era niño, hable con un proveedor de atención médica sobre pruebas y exámenes para ayudar a diagnosticar cicatrices pulmonares y detectar enfermedades relacionadas con enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto.

The Department of Health warned the toxic ash can cause irritation of the skin, nose, and throat and recommends individuals returning to Maui wear tight-fitting respirator masks such as the N95. The long-term effects of asbestos exposure are significantly more dangerous than irritation from toxic ash.

¿Qué es exactamente el asbesto?

(And why is it still a problem in Maui and elsewhere?)

Asbestos was once a widely used mineral in construction materials such as insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, drywall, shingles, etc. Asbestos is very durable because it is resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity, which made it a great building companion. However, asbestos’s durability is also what makes it a dangerous substance. The fibers do not evaporate or dissolve in water and can stay in the body forever.

Most people are unaware they are breathing in asbestos because it has no taste or smell. Once the fibers enter the body, they cause damage over time leading to asbestos-related illnesses sometimes decades later. Asbestos fibers are like tiny needles puncturing the lungs and other tissue creating scar tissue leading to diminished lung capacity and chronic, potentially fatal, illnesses including cancers such as lung, mesothelioma, stomach, and colon cancer among others.²

The public was not made aware that asbestos is a carcinogen until the 1970’s, however the asbestos industry knew since the 1930s.

“La evidencia general sugiere que no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto”. no hay nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto."

Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH)³

When the truth came out, thanks to asbestos lawsuits, it still took the United States government until 1989 to officially ban its use.⁴ Even then contractors were not required to destroy their supplies meaning it is possible asbestos was still used in renovations and building up to a decade after that.

Some reports estimate there are still over 30 million homes in the U.S. containing life-threatening asbestos.

One reason so many buildings still have asbestos is because in the Unites States landowners are not always obligated to remove asbestos and are only required to disclose its presence. Homes in Hawaii are among those 30 million, which was one of the reasons the Department of Health issued the warning to its residents.

El amianto causa cáncer. Los investigadores de la salud están aprendiendo cómo hacerlo. how.

Los estudios demuestran que las fibras de amianto se incrustan en el tejido corporal:

Causando cicatrices

Alterar los mecanismos de defensa del cuerpo.

Aumento de la formación de radicales libres (cargas eléctricas que se sabe que aumentan la probabilidad de cáncer)

Dañar el ADN que controla el crecimiento celular, lo que podría conducir a la formación de carcinomas (tumores cancerosos)

Potential health risks of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers

The presence of asbestos in the environment has long been a topic of concern due to its potential health risks. Its extensive use in the past has led to concerns about the release of asbestos fibers into the air, which can be inhaled causing the severe health issues discussed earlier.

Because of the extensive past use of asbestos, and the increasing age of these products, the potential for exposure to asbestos fibers in both indoor and outdoor environments remains high, even while the actual asbestos exposure levels are mostly very low.

El asbesto no tiene sabor ni olor.

Es posible que no sepa que lo está respirando.

Image Asbestos Stonemasons2 article body

Sources of these exposures include disturbance of in situ asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), for example during renovations or following disaster events such as fires, cyclones, and floods.”⁵ Part of asbestos’s durability is its heat resistance, so it does not burn with the rest of the materials in a fire. However, fire does cause asbestos fibers to release into the air, as is the case with the Maui ash.

To understand the concentration of asbestos fibers in external air, it is important to understand the levels of asbestos dust concentration in various types of buildings.

The concentration of the asbestos dust varies depending on factors such as construction type, materials used, and the extent of degradation. “The level of pollution of asbestos dust inside buildings, [which] accompanies the normal exploitation, is at least 1000 times lower than the levels of concentrations created during the removal of these products.

“Todas las formas de asbesto son cancerígenas para los humanos”.⁶

It is critical to use proper protection when dealing with asbestos in old buildings.

If the contractor does not have an effective (organizational and technical form of dust elimination, with effectiveness confirmed by control tests during works and after completion of works) – removal of asbestos products from the building should be prohibited.”⁷ Moreover, external air surrounding buildings also contains asbestos fibers, contributing to potential exposure risks for people in the vicinity.

Libby, Montana: An asbestos cautionary tale

The small town of Libby in Montana is a sobering representation of this. Libby once had active asbestos mines where its management company W.R. Grace & Company failed to disclose asbestos and its risks to the miners. Both the miners and their families developed asbestos-related illnesses because the dust can attach itself to clothing, car and household upholstery, etc.

However, researchers discovered that not all the residents experiencing asbestos-related diseases were miners or even family members of miners. Almost half of all the residents who consented to screening in Libby were found to have asbestos-related pleuropulmonary disease. These illnesses were caused by living in close proximity to the mines where there was no active asbestos ash flying around. ⁸

Compartir una casa o un vehículo con alguien que usa ropa contaminada con asbesto lo pone en riesgo de contraer enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto.3⁹¹⁰¹¹¹²¹³

If abatement without proper precautions can stir up 1000 times the level of asbestos, burning materials that contain asbestos would likely release at least that much.

Australia has been an example of this due to the commonality of bushfires that impact regions with older buildings containing asbestos.

The concern is centered around the potential spread of asbestos from the fires, leading to exposure risks when accessing and disrobing contaminated materials during cleanup. Cleanup challenges arise due to limited resources for managing asbestos-containing debris. “While there’s little evidence of significant public exposure during the events, there’s a risk of subsequent exposure due to lingering contamination.”¹⁴ There is also the threat of free asbestos fibers that travel and settle beyond the fire site, such as the Maui ash.

The Asbestos Danger: Not just Maui, Hawaii

Asbestos contamination in old buildings is an ongoing problem across the world.

The evaluation of asbestos risk is not limited to specific regions, rather, it encompasses a global perspective. Assessments in both Poland and the U.S. revealed variations in concentration levels due to different emission sources and atmospheric factors. The concentration of asbestos fibers in external air is a critical factor in understanding potential health risks posed by environmental exposure.

“Por lo general, quienes desarrollan enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto no muestran signos de enfermedad durante mucho tiempo después de la exposición”.

Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH)¹⁵

Understanding the risk of asbestos in old buildings

Assessing the risk of asbestos-related diseases requires a comprehensive approach that considers not only concentration levels, but also factors such as exposure duration and individual susceptibility.

By examining and comprehending these nuances, global society can take informed steps towards mitigating the potential health hazards associated with asbestos exposure. In this instance, people in Maui should heed the Department of Health’s warning of toxic ash and wear an N95 mask to avoid breathing as much of the asbestos fibers as possible, but this is a minimal precaution.

“Algunas fibras de asbesto pueden pasar por alto... las defensas naturales de su cuerpo... y alojarse en lo profundo de sus pulmones. Esas fibras pueden permanecer en su lugar durante mucho tiempo y es posible que nunca se eliminen”.

Fuente: Asociación Americana del Pulmón

Lessons from Maui’s fires: Climate change and the asbestos problem

With climate change and the increasing number of wildfires among other natural disasters in the United States and globally, the same risk exists everywhere. The recent tragedy in Maui is a warning of the devastation caused. Maui’s distinctive landscapes and beautiful Polynesian culture are marred by the scars of these fires.

Second-hand and environmental asbestos exposure

Unfortunately, many workers’ families and other household members were exposed to asbestos as well, as asbestos was brought home daily in neighborhoods across the U.S. on work-clothing. This is often known as exposición de segunda mano (‘take home’ / household exposure).

Environmental asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos is present in the soil or air. The World Health Organization has found that los depósitos de asbesto también pueden contaminar el agua potable, whether it is drawn from a well or municipal system.

Since asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, everyone could be exposed to asbestos at some point in their life. However, the presence of asbestos-related industries in a region or community significantly increases the risk of environmental asbestos exposure. So does living with someone exposed at work.

1 in 5

En estudios de la enfermedad del asbesto, 1 de cada 5 casos de exposición al asbesto fue causado por una exposición secundaria al asbesto.3¹⁶

The tragedy of asbestos in ashes from wildfires in Maui

The fires in Maui have had significant and far-reaching environmental effects on the island’s ecosystem.

The smoke and particulate matter released during the fires not only degrades air quality but releases toxic asbestos into soil and water supplies. Maui’s fires serve as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness between human activities, climate conditions, and the environment.

¿Califica usted para una compensación?

Descubra rápida y fácilmente cómo estuvo expuesto buscando en WARD, la base de datos de asbesto más grande del planeta.

BÚSQUEDA GRATUITA >

Asbestos exposure is a cruel addition to the effects of these natural disasters, but society must be aware of the dangerous consequences of life-long asbestos-related illnesses and put appropriate protections in place.

AsbestosClaims.Law

Para Justinian C. Lane, obtener una indemnización por las víctimas del asbesto es algo personal.

Los abuelos de Justiniano y su padre trabajaron con asbesto en su juventud y murieron de cánceres relacionados con el asbesto en sus últimos años.

En el momento de cada una de sus muertes, nadie en la familia de Justiniano sabía que eran elegibles para presentar una demanda por asbesto y buscar una compensación de los fideicomisos de asbesto.

Debido a que nadie en la familia de Justiniano conocía sus opciones, nunca recibieron compensación alguna por la muerte de sus seres queridos.

Si cree que su lesión o la de su familiar estuvo relacionada con la exposición al asbesto, podría tener derecho a una compensación significativa.

Este es dinero que podría usar para cubrir los costos de los servicios de remoción de asbesto, pagar el tratamiento médico y proteger de manera preventiva su bienestar físico.

También hay fideicomisos de asbesto que ofrecen compensación mucho más rápida y fácilmente (sin presentar una demanda).

Si desea ayuda para presentar un reclamo, ponerse en contacto por correo electrónico a [email protected] o llámenos o envíenos un mensaje de texto al (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) o (206) 455-9190. Escucharemos su historia y le explicaremos sus opciones. Y nunca cobramos por nada a menos que reciba dinero en su bolsillo.

Además de demandas legales, discapacidad de veteranos, seguridad social y protección del empleo como compensación de trabajadores, FELA y La ley de Jones para los trabajadores marítimos, hay fideicomisos de asbesto que se han establecido para indemnizar a los perjudicados por el asbesto sin tener que presentar una demanda.

No hay riesgo ni costo para hablar con uno de nuestro personal sobre su litigio de asbesto. No hay cargos a menos que reciba dinero.

Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes adicionales relacionadas con el asbesto, visite nuestro sitio web y página de YouTube para ver videos, infografías y respuestas a sus preguntas sobre el asbesto, incluida la salud y la seguridad, prueba de asbesto, la eliminación del asbesto de su hogar y edificio, y información legal sobre la compensación por lesiones de asbesto.

Presentamos la base de datos de información sobre asbesto más grande del planeta.

W.A.R.D., que significa Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, ayuda a los clientes a reducir cuándo y dónde pueden haber estado expuestos, así como qué productos aún pueden contener asbesto.WARD también ayudará a indicar los tipos de compensación ya cuánto puede tener derecho una persona.

1 https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-advises-caution-for-residents-returning-to-west-maui-area/
2 https://www.asbestosclaims.law/asbestos-learning-center/types-of-asbestos/
3 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH) Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.
4 https://www.asbestosclaims.law/asbestos-blog/does-my-roof-contain-asbestos/
5 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/12071
6 IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Arsenic, metals, fibres, and dusts. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. 2012 ;100(Pt C):11-465. PMID: 23189751.
7 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061820306905
8 What is Environmental Asbestos Exposure?, AsbestosClaims.Law
9 Anua, S.M., Semple, S., Shakri, S.F.M., Safuan, S., Mazlan, N. and Asri, A.A.M., 2019. A review of the take-home exposure pathway of workplace hazards. International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine, 22(3and4), pp.13-19.
10 Ferrante, D., Bertolotti, M., Todesco, A., Mirabelli, D., Terracini, B. and Magnani, C., 2007. Cancer mortality and incidence of mesothelioma in a cohort of wives of asbestos workers in Casale Monferrato, Italy. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(10), pp.1401-1405.
11 Miller, A., 2005. Mesothelioma in household members of asbestos‐exposed workers: 32 United States cases since 1990. American journal of industrial medicine, 47(5), pp.458-462.
12 Reid, A., Heyworth, J., De Klerk, N. and Musk, A.W., 2008. The mortality of women exposed environmentally and domestically to blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia. Occupational and environmental medicine, 65(11), pp.743-749.
13 İşten, B.H.S.T.O. and Maruziyetler, E.T., 2021. Exposures Moved from Work to Home as a Public Health Hazard.
14 Australia’s Ongoing Challenge of Legacy Asbestos in the Built Environment: A Review of Contemporary Asbestos Exposure Risks., Frangioudakis Khatib, G., Collins, J., Otness, P., Goode, J., Tomley, S., Franklin, P. and Ross, J., 2023. Sustainability, 15(15), p.12071.
15 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.
16 Tompa E, Kalcevich C, McLeod C, Lebeau M, Song C, McLeod K, et al. La carga económica del cáncer de pulmón y el mesotelioma debido a la exposición ocupacional y paraocupacional al asbesto. Occup Environ Med 2017; 74: 816-22.

El amianto es muy resistente al calor, la presión y la corrosión, por lo que se utilizó en muchos productos, vehículos y edificios. En particular, muchos lugares de trabajo como fábricas, refinerías, fundiciones y astilleros implican grandes cantidades de calor y fueron construidos con mucho amianto.