{"id":2024246,"date":"2023-09-07T03:45:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T07:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/epa-begins-arduous-task-removing-toxic-materials-from-areas-devastated-by-wildfires-in-maui\/"},"modified":"2023-09-07T03:51:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T07:51:20","slug":"epa-begins-arduous-task-removing-toxic-materials-from-areas-devastated-by-wildfires-in-maui","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/epa-begins-arduous-task-removing-toxic-materials-from-areas-devastated-by-wildfires-in-maui\/","title":{"rendered":"EPA starts tough job removing toxins from fire-ravaged Maui."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fepa-begins-arduous-task-removing-toxic-materials-from-areas-devastated-by-wildfires-in-maui%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2024246&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has embarked on an important mission to \u2064clean up toxic materials in areas \u200daffected \u200cby Maui&#8217;s devastating wildfires.<\/p>\n<p>Responding \u2064to the\u200d request \u200bof \u200bthe state of Hawaii and Maui County, the\u200b Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assigned the EPA to oversee the cleanup \u2063efforts\u2063 as the island community strives to recover.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We do not currently have \u200ca <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/university-of-michigan-demands-1200-for-china-documents\/\" title=\"University of Michigan Demands ,200 for China Documents\">cost estimate<\/a> for \u2063this part of the community recovery\u2062 process, and once the hazardous materials are removed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will lead the removal of fire debris,&#8221;\u2063 according to a FEMA spokesman in an email to The Epoch\u200d Times.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Related \u2063Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/bright\/after-devastating-fires-maui-working-to-entice-travelers-back-5486134\">After Devastating \u2064Fires, Maui Working to Entice \u200bTravelers Back<\/a><br \/>\n        <br \/>\n        <span class=\"text-comp-caption\">9\/4\/2023<\/span>\n      <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/grassroots-protest-hopes-to-launch-1000-boats-to-promote-government-transparency-in-aftermath-of-lahaina-wildfire-5486611\">Grassroots Protest\u200b Hopes to Launch 1,000\u200c Boats to Promote Government Transparency\u200d in Aftermath of Lahaina Wildfire<\/a><br \/>\n        <br \/>\n        <span class=\"text-comp-caption\">9\/5\/2023<\/span>\n      <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;The goal \u2062of\u200d these efforts is to return\u2062 clean, tested lots or properties to owners that\u200d are safe for rebuilding.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>On Aug. 23, EPA \u2064teams \u2064began the \u200bprocess of\u200c removing toxic materials from the disaster\u2063 areas as part \u2063of the agency&#8217;s Maui Wildfire Recovery plan.<\/p>\n<p>During \u200dthis \u2062project, EPA teams will survey, \u2063remove, and \u2063dispose \u200dof materials\u2062 that\u2062 pose a hazard\u2062 to human health and safety. These materials \u2064include paints, cleaners, solvents, oils,\u2063 batteries,\u2063 and pesticides.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode post-related-videos\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>    \u200c  \u200d&#8221;Ash \u200band debris can \u2064contain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-chicken-in-every-pot-and-a-crack-pipe-in-every-mouth\/\" title=\"A Chicken In Every Pot And A Crack Pipe In Every Mouth\">potentially harmful contaminants<\/a> like asbestos, lead, and \u200barsenic that can be inhaled or enter the\u2063 environment with wind,&#8221; according to an EPA\u2064 fact sheet outlining the process.<\/p>\n<h2>Special\u200c Precautions<\/h2>\n<p>    The EPA said it will remove \u2062asbestos and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/epa-begins-arduous-task-removing-toxic-materials-from-areas-devastated-by-wildfires-in-maui\/\" title=\"EPA starts tough job removing toxins from fire-ravaged Maui.\">inspect pressurized fuel cylinders<\/a> like\u200c propane tanks that require special handling,\u200b &#8220;especially if their containers \u2064are damaged.&#8221;\n  <\/div>\n<p>The agency has committed to\u2063 disposing \u200cof all hazardous chemicals at a\u2064 safe facility\u200d off the island.<\/p>\n<p>On Aug. 10,\u200b Hawaii officials granted the EPA \u200bauthority to access properties without permission\u200b from the property owner.<\/p>\n<p>However, \u2062the \u200dagency \u2062clarified that it\u200b will only remove\u2062 materials with the owner&#8217;s consent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These efforts will reduce potential threats \u2064to public health and\u2063 safety and allow other agencies to \u2063remove solid waste, debris, and ash in the affected areas,&#8221; \u2063Maui\u2064 County said in a\u2062 press release.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>A sign made with \u200cspray \u2064paint seeks to inspire motorists on Route 30 heading into \u2062the fire-ravaged town of\u2064 Lahaina, \u2063Maui, on Aug. 16,\u200b 2023. (Allan Stein\/The Epoch\u200b Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>As the remedial work \u200ccontinues, \u2063the EPA will \u2063utilize a \u2064chemical\u2063 adhesive called Soiltac to prevent\u200b potentially toxic ash and dust from becoming airborne and contaminating water supplies.<\/p>\n<p>Soiltac,\u200c manufactured by Soilworks and\u2063 approved for \u2062commercial use\u200c by the state, is both non-toxic and biodegradable over time.<\/p>\n<p>The product has a pinkish hue and contains a copolymer \u200bof vinyl acetate, ethylene, \u200bvinyl ester,\u200d mineral fillers, and protective \u200dcolloid.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The level of protection and types \u2064of controls\u200b necessary will vary depending upon potential exposure conditions,&#8221; \u200baccording to\u2063 Soilworks.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Select \u200bcontrols [are] based \u200bon a risk assessment of\u200b local circumstances. Appropriate \u2063measures include adequate ventilation to control airborne concentrations. Where material is \u2064heated, sprayed \u2062or mist formed, there is greater potential for airborne \u200bconcentrations to be generated.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In a \u200dproduct description, Soilworks highlighted the advantage of Soiltac&#8217;s long, molecular structure.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This structure links and cross-links together, allowing stronger bonds to be obtained. After Soiltac is applied and \u200cthe water disperses \u2062from the soil or aggregate, a durable \u2063and water-resistant matrix of flexible\u2064 solid-mass is created.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>    &#8220;Once cured,\u200d Soiltac becomes completely \u2063transparent, leaving \u200cthe\u200b natural landscape to appear untouched.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Damage Estimated in the\u200b Billions<\/h2>\n<p>    Federal officials estimate \u2063the total damage from \u2064the Lahaina, Kula, and Olinda wildfires at \u2062$5.5 billion.\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Lahaina fire on Aug.\u2064 8 \u2064was the most destructive, resulting in 115 known fatalities\u2064 and \u200cleaving hundreds missing, including many children.<\/p>\n<p>Federal officials consider the Lahaina fire the\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/search-crews-work-to-tally-deaths-from-hawaii-wildfires-death-toll-expected-to-rise\/\" title=\"Search teams are counting deaths from Hawaii wildfires, expecting an increase in the death toll.\">worst natural \u200ddisaster<\/a> in\u200d U.S.\u2064 history since 1900. The fire destroyed over 2,000 acres and an equivalent number of buildings, \u2062with 86 percent of them being residential properties.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>Burned-out cars sit after a wildfire \u200craged through Lahaina, Hawaii, on\u2064 Aug.\u200c 9, 2023. (Tiffany Kidder Winn via\u2064 AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Maui County officials \u2064have \u2064stated that \u200bwhile the fire is 100 percent contained, it has \u2062not been completely extinguished.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The county \u200dwill prioritize the safety, culture, and\u200d community\u200d interests of\u2062 our community,&#8221; said \u200cMaui County Mayor\u200d Richard Bissen\u200c during an Aug. \u200c29\u200c Wailuku press conference with \u2064st<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;We do not currently have a timeline for completion, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and health of the residents affected by the wildfires in Maui. The EPA has initiated a phased cleanup of toxic materials in response to the state and county&#8217;s request, with FEMA&#8217;s support.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":294,"featured_media":2024247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2024246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2024246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/294"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2024246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2024246\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2024247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2024246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2024246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2024246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}