FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fireworks…. they may be fun to shoot off but are bad for your lungs.
Air quality in the Valley is already burdened by ozone pollution, as the 4th of July approaches, the Valley Air District is urging residents to consider the health effects of fireworks.
Fireworks increase levels of dangerous particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere, including soot, ash and metals, which can cause serious health impacts, especially to individuals with existing respiratory conditions, elderly people and small children.
Fine particulate matter can invade the bloodstream, get deep into the lungs and has been linked to heart attacks and stroke.
Each year on the Fourth of July, air monitors across the valley reflect spikes in PM concentrations -often four to five times higher than the health-based federal standards – and threaten the Valley’s progress in meeting air-quality standards that protect public health.
The Valley Air District suggests attending one of the many fireworks displays in the Valley— rather than lighting your own.
The Real-time Air Advisory Network (RAAN) provides localized air quality data from an extensive air-monitoring network – track PM in your area by visiting www.valleyair.org/RAAN.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
