Description: We analyzed real-time PM2.5 measurements from 750 PurpleAir sensors operating from June to July in 2019 and 2020 to examine the impact of 4th of July fireworks on hourly and daily PM2.5 concentrations in California. Relative to 2019, the peak PM2.5 concentrations on July 4th and 5th 2020 were, on average, over 50% higher in California, likely due to the COVID-19-related increase in the use of household-level fireworks. Our findings highlight the important role that policy and enforcement can play in reducing firework-related air pollution and protecting public health, as exemplified by southern California, where policy was more relaxed and air pollution was, and in disadvantaged communities where disparities were greatest.
Mousavi A, Yuan T, Masri S, Barta G, Wu J. 2021. Impact of July 4th fireworks on air quality in California: analysis based on high density low-cost air quality sensors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: 18, 5735. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115735.