Shifting from the more intense pollution from entertainment in the past few weekly posts, this week I’ll be exploring pollution from fireworks through the 2021 Journal Article “Impact of 4th of July Fireworks on Spatiotemporal PM2.5 Concentrations in California Based on the PurpleAir Sensor Network: Implications for Policy and Environmental Justice” [1].
Figure 1. 2023 New Years firework display in Sydney [2]
Fireworks are often used for celebrating significant events and as seen in Figure 1, create an entertainment spectacle that while brief is pretty unrivaled. Thus, it is no wonder that in 2015, America alone used 285 million pounds of fireworks [3]. While they do entertain, fireworks also are pollutive by nature and the reference article looks at just how pollutive they can be during peak firework use around the 4th of July Independence Day celebrations in California.
The article first notes that there is extensive evidence of high concentrations of fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) and co-pollutants like trace metals and water-soluble ions related to firework displays on festive occasions. Utilizing geospatial analysis and air monitoring systems, PM2.5 levels were monitored during the evening of the 4th of July and then compared with control days to note the relative increase in pollution (if any). While levels were elevated across the various counties studied, Los Angeles County in 2020, noted the largest increase with 5-10 times the control period hourly PM2.5 concentration noted from 7:00 p.m. to midnight on July 4th, relative to the non-firework period. Meanwhile, Orange County experienced a peak that was three times higher than control days on average and Riverside County only noted minimal elevation of PM, with hourly average peaks <1.5 times of control days.
The article notes that this is likely due to population density, with a moderate correlation between firework-related PM2.5 pollution and a county-level population count and more elevated PM2.5 levels in urban areas, as opposed to rural areas. In 2019, their data also suggested that communities with elderly residents, children, and higher asthma rates (vulnerable populations) saw larger increases in PM2.5 concentrations. This is an important point as while the pollution may not be uniform between counties or even within counties, it appears the more vulnerable are the ones who disproportionately are facing increased pollution from fireworks.
Figure 2. Health effects of PM 2.5 on the human body [4]
So why is PM2.5 exposure concerning? As Figure 2 shows, it can cause respiratory problems and worsens cardiovascular diseases and asthma which is dangerous for the vulnerable populations mentioned in the reference article. It is not just particulate matter that is concerning as fine metal particles are also common in fireworks, with one article noting that 19 of the 22 highest peaks for strontium (Sr) in airborne particles in the U.S. occurred on July 4th and New Year’s Day, holidays known for excessive firework displays [5]. In addition, lead is also present at exceedingly high levels in some fireworks. Surprisingly, highly toxic metals, such as Pb, were present at exceedingly high levels in the emissions of some of the tested fireworks, leading to concerns about the association of adverse cardiopulmonary effects with exposure to fireworks-linked metals.
Other articles note that this is not just an American problem, but is present wherever heavy fireworks displays occur. In Slovenia, the highest average daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 126 µg/m3 and 114 µg/m3, respectively which exceeded the maximum daily recommendations by the WHO (50 µg/m3 and 25 μg/m3)respectively [6]. An assessment in China yielded similar increases in particulate matter, with sharp PM2.5 increases of 109%, 59%, 123%, and 106% noted over 4 Lunar New Year compared to the periods before and after the Lunar New Year [7].
Additionally, even studies that have found limited increases in particulate matter still warn against the dangers caused by fireworks. As noted in a journal article, experts have not agreed upon a set lower limit of concentration lacking health consequences as even short-term exposure to elevated PM2.5 levels can cause cardiovascular inflammation. [7]. Thus, this study notes that even if the 24-h average is not raised enough to alert the public, fireworks still can degrade PM2.5 to unhealthy levels temporarily.
While this might all seem scary, there is hope as bans on fireworks have shown effectiveness in one Chinese city. Zhengzhou banned fireworks/crackers and saw their PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations decreased by 16.83% and 26.05%, respectively during banned periods of festivities compared to prior unbanned years. This policy was also noted as effectively slowing down the sudden increase in pollutant concentrations during festival periods, thus limiting the harmful effects of pollutants with fewer of them around [8].
While we may all enjoy the spectacle provided by fireworks displays, we should be mindful of the harmful effects they may have on the air quality and consequently on our health. While Government bans would be ideal to eradicate the problem, given that such legislation is unlikely in the near future as ‘the show must go on’ when it comes to holiday celebrations, we can step up and do our part to protect ourselves. Wearing a mask if watching such events live would be a good start, or just catching the event from the ‘safety’ of your home through online broadcasts or if you’re lucky an unobstructed but far away view of the celebrations.
– Lucian Taft Kimbrell
References
[1] Mousavi, A., Yuan, Y., Masri, S., Barta, G., & Wu, J. (2021). Impact of 4th of July fireworks on spatiotemporal PM2.5 concentrations in California based on the PurpleAir Sensor Network: Implications for Policy and Environmental Justice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 5735. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115735
[2] ABC News. (2022, December 31). Australia welcomes 2023 as Sydney Harbour lights up in fireworks display. ABC News. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-31/new-year-eve-celebrations-around-australia/101818952
[3] Nelson, S. (2016, July 4). 285 million pounds of fireworks: 4th of July by the numbers. USA Today. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/07/03/how-america-celebrates-4th-july-numbers/86602246/
[4] Sreenivasan, V. (2022, August 22). What are PM2.5 and PM10? how they affect you and solutions. Devic Earth. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.devic-earth.com/blog/what-are-pm2-5-and-pm10-how-they-affect-you-and-solutions
[5] Hickey, C., Gordon, C., Galdanes, K., Blaustein, M., Horton, L., Chillrud, S., Ross, J., Yinon, L., Chen, L. C., & Gordon, T. (2020, July 2). Toxicity of particles emitted by fireworks – particle and Fibre Toxicology. BioMed Central. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-020-00360-4
[6] Pirker, L., Velkavrh, Žiga, Osīte, A., Drinovec, L., Močnik, G., & Remškar, M. (2021, December 14). Fireworks-a source of nanoparticles, PM2.5, PM10, and carbonaceous aerosols – air quality, Atmosphere & Health. SpringerLink. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-021-01142-3
[7] Lang, V. A., & Kahl, J. D. W. (2022, October 10). Minimal PM2.5 impact observed in communities near large, recurring, non-independence day festivals with fireworks displays. MDPI. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.mdpi.com/2813-4168/1/1/1
[8] Liu, D., Li, W., Peng, J., & Ma, Q. (2022, March 7). The effect of banning fireworks on air quality in a heavily polluted city in northern China during Chinese Spring Festival. Frontiers. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.872226/full