Some accuse me of being a kill-joy, raining on their parade.\u00a0\u00a0 I prefer to think of it as simply relating the facts.\u00a0 So, today, let me talk about air pollution from fireworks.<\/p>\n
Some of the earliest studies of air pollution from fireworks came from China.\u00a0 The Chinese discovered gunpowder, so it is not surprising that they might be the first to study its effects.<\/p>\n
Two main classes of air pollution result from fireworks: excessive levels of ozone and fine particulate matter, which has become known as PM2.5<\/sub> which signifies that it refers to particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter.\u00a0 These particles are important because when we breathe them, they can travel deep into our lungs and cause health effects. \u00a0One recent study estimated that more than 3 million premature deaths occur worldwide each year as a result of ozone and particulate pollution from all sources.<\/p>\n The current EPA standard for ozone is 70 parts per billion (= 150 ug\/m3<\/sup>)[a]<\/a> and for PM2.5<\/sub> is 35 ug\/m3<\/sup>.[b]<\/a> Ozone is not released directly from exploding fireworks, but it is produced in the atmosphere when the Sun\u2019s ultraviolet radiation interacts with nitric oxides, which are produced from the explosive nitrogen compounds in fireworks. One study from Spain reported increases in ozone from 10 ug\/m3<\/sup> to 150 ug\/m3<\/sup> during the fireworks associated with the Mascielas holiday.<\/p>\n Using a database from 315 air monitoring stations across the U.S., another study reported that the concentration of particulate matter was typically 5 ug\/m3<\/sup> higher after 8PM on July 4, compared to the days before and after Independence Day celebrations.\u00a0 \u00a0At the recent NC Breathe Conference in Charlotte, Dr. Elizabeth Chan, a visiting fellow at \u00a0the EPA in Research Triangle Park, reported significant increases of certain elements used to color fireworks displays\u2014barium, copper, chlorine, magnesium, potassium and strontium\u2014 in the PM2.5<\/sub> fraction on\u00a0 July 4 and 5.\u00a0 Smaller increases were also found on July 4 for arsenic, antimony, and chromium, which have known human health effects.<\/p>\n As a source of ozone and PM2.5<\/sub> fireworks pale in comparison to coal-fired power plants, automobile exhaust, and agricultural activities. \u00a0Nevertheless, when you are watching fireworks on July 4, remember that you are receiving an increment of air pollution with potential health effects.<\/p>\n It\u2019s another choice we make with environmental impact<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Elizabeth Chan, an ORISE fellow at the EPA contributed some helpful comments on this posting.<\/p>\n References<\/p>\n Caballero, S., N. Galindo, R. Castaner, J. Gimenez, and J. Crespo. 2015.\u00a0 Real-time measurements of ozone and uv radiation during pyrotechnic displays.\u00a0 Aerosol and Air Quality Research 15: 2150-2157.<\/p>\n Chan, E.A.W., A. Benson, A. Dickerson and B. Buckley.\u00a0 2016.\u00a0 Concentrations of individual fine particulate matter components in the United States around the 4th<\/sup> of July.\u00a0\u00a0 Presentation at the 2nd<\/sup> Annual NC Breathe Conference, April 8, Charlotte, NC.<\/p>\n Lelieveld, J., J.S. Evans, M. Fnais, D. Giannadaki and A. Pozzer.\u00a0 2015.\u00a0 The contribution of outdoor air pollution sources to premature mortality on a global scale.\u00a0 Nature 525: 367-371.<\/p>\n Saunders, R.O. and D.W. Waugh.\u00a0 2015.\u00a0 Variability and potential sources of summer PM2.5<\/sub> in the northeastern United States.\u00a0 Atmospheric Environment 117: 259-270.<\/p>\n Seidel, D.J. and A.B. Birnbaum. 2015.\u00a0 Effects of Independence Day fireworks on atmospheric concentrations of fine particulate matter in the United States.\u00a0 Atmospheric Environment 115: 192-198.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n