Maui Wildfire Firefighters Saw Spike in PFAS Blood Levels, CDC Reports

Firefighters involved in combating the Maui Wildfires had higher levels of PFAS contamination than other first responders, raising concerns about health risks LA firefighters may face from recent California wildfires.

Federal health officials indicate that firefighters who responded to the Maui Wildfires in 2023 had higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood than other first responders, highlighting concerns the toxic “forever chemicals” can pose for firefighters.

The Maui wildfires began in August 2023, and resulted in widespread devastation across the Hawaiian island.

Many individuals wound up missing, and a large number of families eventually pursued Maui wildfire lawsuits, indicating that Hawaiian Electric kept power running through its lines, even after some of the company’s poles had fallen and were likely to catch fire.

Wildfire Firefighter PFAS Concerns

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new report on Concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Among First Responders to the Maui Wildfires on February 6, indicating that firefighters who respond to wildfires like those in Maui face a risk of ingesting greater amounts of PFAS chemicals than other first responders, which could lead to numerous adverse health consequences.

Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS include a group of more than 9,000 man-made substances widely used to resist grease, oil and water. However, they are known to build up in the human body, and there is now a growing body of research linking exposure to the chemicals to myriad adverse health effects, including testicular cancer, kidney cancer, ulcerative colitis and other side effects.

Most of the PFAS health concerns have stemmed from water contamination in areas surrounding military bases, where the U.S. Navy and other branches frequently used aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in firefighting and training exercises.

However, a number of AFFF lawsuits have been filed by firefighters in recent years who claim the manufacturers of the chemicals failed to provide any warnings to firefighters about the cancer side effects from routine exposure to firefighting foam, which they were often covered in during training and active fire fighting exercises.

Adding to the PFAS cancer risks for firefighters, new CDC data based on blood samples taken from firefighters who responded to the Maui wildfires in 2023 have identified an even higher risk for PFAS chemicals to enter firefighter and first responders blood streams during their line of duty.

The CDC’s research identified several potential sources of PFAS exposure for firefighters, including contamination from fire effluents, dust, their own gear or equipment, the textiles used in their protective clothing, and PFAS-containing firefighting foams.

“Previous studies have shown that firefighters have elevated serum concentrations of some PFAS, including PFHxS, compared with the general population and other working populations,” the CDC said. “Large wildfire disasters that encroach upon urban areas present a challenging environment for first responders.”

LA Wildfire Lawsuits

The situation in Maui echoes the challenges now confronting Los Angeles residents, who are also filing LA wildfire lawsuits, alleging that SoCal Edison’s equipment caused at least one wildfire, the Eaton Fire, which burned approximately 14,000 acres in Los Angeles County, destroyed more than 9,000 homes and buildings, and resulted in at least 17 deaths.

Homeowners, business owners and families of the deceased are currently seeking compensation for property losses, business disruptions, personal suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages to hold LA-area utilities providers and other parties accountable for the ignition of the fires and the inadequate response to them, which contributed to significant devastation and loss of life throughout the region.

Individuals whose homes were lost or who suffered damages due to the LA wildfires, can submit their information for a free case review to determine whether they qualify for financial compensation.

Lawyers pursuing Los Angeles wildfire lawsuits offer free consultations and case evaluations. There are no upfront fees, and individuals will only pay if a recovery is obtained in their case.