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NEWS RELEASE
July 17, 2007
Contact:
Donna Kemp Spangler, (801) 536-4484
Public Information Officer, DEQ
(Salt Lake City, Utah) – Before you light those sparklers, think about this: fireworks pollute the air.
The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) supports Governor Jon Huntsman’s ban on personal fireworks this Pioneer Day, not only because of wildland fire dangers but also because fireworks pump fine-particle pollution in the air, prompting an unhealthy spike in air pollution that make it difficult for people to breathe.
“Traditionally, the air monitors record extremely high concentrations of fine particulate pollution associated with fireworks displays after the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day,” said Cheryl Heying, air quality director. “Those most impacted by the unhealthy air pollution are young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with respiratory problems.”
The Governor signed an emergency declaration today, calling on a statewide ban on personal fireworks because of the fire danger in the state. The dry, hot weather also has contributed to unhealthy levels of air pollution caused, in some cases, smoke from fires.
On July 4, many air monitor stations recorded levels that exceeded the federal health standard for fine-particle pollution known as PM 2.5. Most notably, the high levels were recorded in areas surrounding smaller gatherings of neighborhoods or families igniting their own fireworks rather than watching a large professional display.
Short-term exposures to the particle pollution can aggravate asthma attacks and lung disease. In people with heart disease, short-term exposures have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias.
For more information, please visit: http://www.airquality.utah.gov/fireworks.htm.
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