Have an air friendly Fourth of July

Each year on the Fourth of July, Americans gather with family and friends – and fireworks often play a big role. While fireworks are iconic, they also contribute to air pollution that can significantly impair air quality long after the colorful displays have ended.

A National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) article from 2015 highlighted the effects of Fourth of July fireworks on air quality in the United States. The study indicated particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration levels in 315 United States monitoring sites showed an increase in early July. PM2.5 levels remained high through July 4, and into the next morning before levels started to diminish after noon on July 5. 

Any community can experience the lingering effects of fireworks smoke. The Kansas City region experienced this in 2020 when the National Weather Service Kansas City radar captured images of smoke from Independence Day fireworks. 

“A slight inversion and light winds kept the smoke in the atmosphere longer in 2020,” said Doug Norsby, senior environmental planner for the Mid-America Regional Council Air Quality Program. “The lingering smoke from fireworks prompted the National Weather Service to issue a statement on air quality because the smoke can pose a health risk, particularly for those with asthma. Traces of accelerants and heavy metals used to create colors can hang around in the air and water for weeks.”

“Fireworks have become an iconic part of the Fourth of July celebration and the freedoms that it represents, but we also know a lot more now about how they can affect and potentially harm us, our loved ones, friends and neighbors who have breathing and heart problems or PTSD,” Norsby said. “Enshrining and defending the individual freedoms we enjoy are the result of our strong local communities and our mutual support for each other. In that light, my family moderates our use of individual fireworks, which are usually only a brief flash or bang, and instead, lean into celebrating the day with our friends and attending the many community-based events.”

Norsby said there are things you can do to have a safe and healthy Fourth of July celebration and be environmentally friendly:

• Watch a community fireworks show. Many cities and counties host firework shows for everyone to enjoy. These spectacular displays feature powerful fireworks available to licensed, professional operators, and performances are designed with the enjoyment of large groups of people in mind.
• Consider alternatives to fireworks. Popular Science offers a few suggestions, from choreographed light displays, like drones and laser shows, to party poppers, bubbles and biodegradable confetti cannons, which are environmentally friendly and safer. 
• Consider hosting a block party. If your community allows fireworks, safely shoot off fireworks with your neighbors instead of individually. By celebrating together, you and your community can reduce the number of individual fireworks displays.
• Grill with a charcoal chimney. When you fire up the charcoal grill, consider using a charcoal chimney to light the coals instead of lighter fluid. A charcoal chimney will produce fewer harmful pollutants than petroleum-based lighter fluids and won’t alter the flavor of your food. 
• Try a charcoal alternative. Other grills, such as propane, natural gas, or electric, can cook food much faster. Gas or electric grills light more quickly, clean easier and, most notably, are better for the air.
• Delay grilling on Ozone Alert days. An Ozone Alert means an unhealthy concentration of ground-level ozone is predicted in our area, which can be harmful to your health. It can cause tightness in your chest, coughing and difficulty breathing. Waiting to grill until the SkyCast is green can reduce the harmful air pollutants that form ozone on hot, still days. Check the SkyCast before you grill to see if there is an Ozone Alert.
• Stroll over to the community parade. For many of us, the Independence Day parade is a highlight of the holiday. Everyone enjoys a good parade complete with small treats and prizes, and civic groups turn out to offer an exciting, visual way to celebrate local history. Try walking or biking to the parade route instead of driving — you’ll avoid traffic and parking hassles while you help reduce emissions.

To learn more about what you can do to promote air quality, visit our website at AirQKC.org.