The island of Maui has the highest childhood asthma rate in the state of Hawai'i. It is also the only island where sugar cane is harvested through burning, under state permit. A new study co-authored by a State of Hawai'i health scientist establishes a connection between respiratory illness and cane burning. We are asking that existing burn permits be revoked, and no new ones be issued.
Cane smoke has been shown to increase incidence of respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer, and genetic damage.
It's time to stop the burning.
Dear Governor Ige:
A new scientific study* has proven a link between cane burning and respiratory illness on Maui, which has the highest incidence of childhood asthma in the state. This study is especially noteworthy because one of its authors is a State of Hawai'i health scientist - Dr. Lorrin Pang of the Hawai'i Department of Health. In light of this new science I urge you to direct the Hawai'i Department of Health to revoke all cane burning permits immediately and ban the burning of cane altogether in the future.
The study analyzed Maui data on 686 hospital and emergency department diagnoses of acute respiratory illness, and 1256 pharmacy prescriptions for respiratory distress. It concluded that “After adjusting for confounders [e.g., vog] there was a significantly higher incidence of respiratory distress in smoke-exposed regions when greater amounts of acres were burned.”, and accordingly recommends “Health officials should consider actions to reduce the negative health outcomes associated with sugar cane burning practices.”.
There have been numerous scientific studies conducted elsewhere showing the many dangers of cane smoke, including increased rates of respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer, and genotoxicity. Now it has been shown that the outmoded practice of burnt cane harvesting is damaging the health of Maui residents, too.
The health of the people must outweigh any other concerns - even jobs, the economy, and business profits - and it would be unconscionable to think or act – or fail to act – otherwise. There are alternative methods for harvesting cane which have successfully been adopted elsewhere, most notably in Brazil. It is now well-established by science that the obsolete practice of burnt cane poses significant hazards to human health. In the interest of public health and safety, please order an immediate revocation of all cane burning permits.
Thank you.
* Association between sugar cane burning and acute respiratory illness on the island of Maui; Christina Mnatzaganian, Karen L. Pellegrin, Jill Miyamura, et al.; Environmental Health 2015, 14:81; doi:10.1186/s12940-015-0067-y; available at http://www.ehjournal.net/content/14/1/81 .
