Independence Day is right around the corner. And while we’re looking forward to watching the fireworks, there’s more in the air than oohs and ahs. Specifically: particulate matter.
The same type of particles exist in our homes regularly, released from wood and coal fires, cooking fumes, and even candles. And while an air purifier with up-to-date filters can remove them from the air inside your home, the annual increase on July 4th raises some questions about our exposure at the show: Is fireworks smoke bad for your lungs? How long does fireworks smoke last? And is there anything we can do to limit our risk?
Here’s the important thing: It’s a short-term spike. It happens every year, and air quality returns to normal in a relatively short time—by noon the following day. That limited exposure isn’t harmful to healthy individuals.
First, the data.
A NOAA-led study published in the journal Atmospheric Environment, examined air quality after fireworks at 315 sites across the US on every Fourth of July from 1999 to 2013. Researchers found that concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) on the evening of July 4th were 42% higher than the days before and after the holiday (Seidel, et al).
Bear in mind, that’s an average of all 315 sites, with varied proximities to firework shows. In more densely populated urban areas, Independence Day air pollution levels can be even higher.
A separate study published in 2021 focused on counties within California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. That data showed PM 2.5 concentrations in “levels that were ten-times above background levels in some areas” (NIH). That’s a much more significant increase.
PM2.5
So what are we talking about, specifically? That often-cited PM 2.5 is particulate matter that’s 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller. The risk is that those particles are fine enough to make their way through the upper respiratory system and into the lungs.
When fireworks explode, PM 2.5 is released into the air. You see the smoke. You smell the black powder. What you may not know is that over time, exposure to those fine particles can lead to health issues like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and asthma attacks in the short term, and worse damage in the long term.
The good news: Air purifiers with HEPA filters are certified effective at trapping particulate matter as small as .3 microns—enough to make light work of the fireworks’ larger byproduct. So when that outside air makes its way inside (it inevitably will), you’re not stuck with the problem.
What you can do.
Go out, enjoy the fireworks. A once-a-year spike is no reason to panic and cancel the show. Just be aware of what could be in the surrounding air.
If it’s an option, watch from upwind. Keep windows closed during the fireworks—any anxious pets might appreciate this too! If you’re someone who is especially sensitive to allergens and particulate matter in the air, or you suffer from asthma, consider wearing a mask rated for PM 2.5.
Remember, outside air resets quickly. The previous night’s firework-air won’t make it to the next afternoon. Wind and pressure changes disperse polluted air, and the atmosphere’s natural oxidation process destroys other pollutants like VOCs.
We’ll say it again: Enjoy the fireworks. But maybe set your Molekule purifier to boost mode when you leave the house. You’ll come home to refreshingly clean air and feel the difference it makes.
