Fireworks Release Toxic Particulate Matter Into the Air, Researchers Find

It’s almost the Fourth of July in the United States, which for many people means barbeques and fireworks. The long-standing American tradition of colorful pyrotechnic displays may be fun to watch, but they release harmful particulate matter into the air.

The loud noises also frighten wildlife; interfere with feeding, breeding and migratory patterns; and can cause animals to flee into dangerous areas, using precious energy stores.

A new study by Greg Carling, a professor of geology at Brigham Young University (BYU), has revealed the details of what’s in the air pollution produced by fireworks.

“We know we’re breathing in these particles that are unhealthy during firework events, dust storms, or winter inversions,” said Carling in a press release from BYU. “But what’s actually in the particulate matter? No one really knew before this study.”

Particulate matter is made up of microscopic dust, trace metals, liquid droplets, smoke and other pollutants. Smaller particles like PM2.5 are the biggest threat to humans because they can be easily inhaled and go deep into the lungs.

The study found that most particulate matter in Utah’s Wasatch Front came from winter inversion, mineral dust and fireworks.

Over the course of two years, the research team — made up of Carling and students — collected and monitored filtered air samples of differing sizes of particulate matter, which included the extremely hazardous PM2.5. The team measured the trace metal concentration in the particulate matter over time.

The findings revealed that particulate matter metal pollution peaked with winter inversions in January and summer fireworks in July. High levels of copper and barium were found to have been emitted by the fireworks, while inversion smog contained cadmium, lead, arsenic and thallium.

Exposure to these toxic substances can lead to a variety of health issues, from cardiovascular disease to asthma. Utah has stringent drinking water standards, but there are currently no air quality standards for the metals found in the study.

“We know a bit about the acute problems that elements such as lead cause,” Carling said in the press release. “But then there are the chronic problems we don’t know about, and that probably should make people think, ‘Oh, so what’s actually harmful and how do we figure out what’s harmful?’”

Carling warned that any level of particulate matter is dangerous to the environment and human health.

“Metals are really good at moving around from the atmosphere into the soil, into the water and into our food,” Carling said. “And they’re persistent, meaning that they don’t really go away — they just keep cycling through the system.”

Any firework with colored light or that produces smoke contributes significantly to air pollution.

Carling was optimistic that increasing awareness will mean better decision-making and solutions. He recommended that people avoid personal fireworks and watch city displays instead. To reduce the level of toxins breathed in during periods of reduced air quality, Carling recommended exercising indoors or getting out of the city.

The study’s findings could help policymakers limit the quantities and types of fireworks used, as well as to support additional research into health issues caused by trace metal pollution.

“It’s great when research leads toward legislation that can help improve things,” Carling said. “Sometimes it’s just a paper that gets published and a few scientists read it. But other times, it gets picked up and used to create real solutions.”