Air officials discourage personal fireworks use

Air officials are urging residents to leave the July Fourth fireworks to the pros.

The safe-and-sane fireworks so popular on Independence Day increase levels of dangerous particulate matter and pose a health threat to those watching them and surrounding neighbors, according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

“We urge Valley residents to exhibit their patriotism by attending a professional Independence Day event in their area instead of using personal fireworks,” said Seyed Sadredin, the district’s executive director and air pollution control officer, in a news release. “Each year, people suffer serious health consequences from direct exposure in the neighborhoods where they live and breathe … from fireworks activities that are entirely preventable.”

Levels of particulate matter in the Valley on the Fourth historically spike to levels four or five times higher than health-based federal standards, the district reports. That increase is largely attributable to fireworks use throughout neighborhoods.

Fireworks emit large quantities of particulate matter, including soot, ash and metals, which cause serious health impacts, especially to people with respiratory conditions, the elderly and small children. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can invade the bloodstream and has been linked to heart attacks and stroke, air officials say.

“If you smell smoke, it’s entering your lungs and may exacerbate any existing breathing illnesses and increase the risk of heart or stroke,” said Anthony Presto, a spokesman at the air district’s Modesto office. “It may damage lungs and reduce lung function. Residents who are sensitive to smoke should consider staying indoors that evening if fireworks are being used in their neighborhood.”

Dust masks commonly sold in hardware and home-improvement stores would appear to be ineffective. An EPA report says: “Paper ‘comfort’ or ‘dust’ masks … are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks generally will not protect your lungs from the fine particles in smoke.”

Air quality in the Valley during summer is already burdened by ozone pollution. Air monitors throughout the Valley reflect spikes in particulate pollution every year after Fourth of July fireworks displays.

The air district’s Real-time Air Advisory Network makes localized air quality data available from an extensive air-monitoring network at www.valleyair.org/RAAN. Hourly air quality data is also available through a free iPhone app, Valley Air, available at the App Store.

For more information about the air district, call the Modesto office, 209-557-6400.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 9:53 AM with the headline "Air officials discourage personal fireworks use."