Why is soil stabilizer being used on Maui?

Applying a stabilization product like Soiltac® will prevent health effects from exposure to ash and soot from the wildfire and limit the spread of this material in the community further reducing human exposure. Because it binds the ash and soot it will also help to prevent runoff of hazardous materials to the ocean or nearby streams that lead to the ocean.

In the short term, exposure to ash and soot can lead to respiratory irritation (sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, hay fever, and asthma attacks for people with asthma), eye irritation (leading to conjunctivitis and enhanced susceptibility to eye infections), and skin irritation (dermatitis). Prolonged exposure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and death.

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