Did you guys enjoy Independence Day? Well, I did. In fact, some of my friends and neighbors went to some fireworks last night, and they were really amazing. Yet, we couldn't help wondering if the smoke left behind from the colorful display was harmful to the environment. So, we did a little research. It turns out that the 4th of July fireworks only contribute 0.01% of anthropogenic atmospheric pollution for that day! In other words, those explosive firecrackers are really only 1/100 of human-caused air pollution of that day. However, this is on a global level. In local areas, fireworks can cause a temporary increase of air pollution by up to a whopping 42%! Exposure to fine particles like the ones found in smoke and haze can lead to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, heart attacks, stroke, and early death, and the elderly and children are the most vulnerable. There are many others out there who are studying the 4th of July effects on global warming, and Forbes and Live Science have some easy-to-understand articles that still go in depth to the topic (http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/07/04/how-do-4th-of-july-fireworks-impact-the-environment/#36e8e8196ddf, http://www.livescience.com/51408-july-4-air-pollution-fireworks.html). Definitely try to go to your local city's fireworks instead of a home show, because a) the pollution for 1 big show is less compared to 1000 tiny home fireworks, b) these fireworks would most likely be bigger and more extravagant, and c) the experience is worth it. In conclusion, fireworks may not be the best for the environment, but the effects aren't that major. Enjoy your summer!
