With dozens of dazzling displays planned for the Fourth of July holidayyou may want to be careful where you look. New research shows that fireworks smoke may be more harmful to our health than previously thought.
A team from Brigham Young University spent two years looking at particulate matter and found that fireworks left higher concentrations of metals such as copper and barium.
“We already knew that fireworks contribute particulate matter. What we didn’t expect was that fireworks had a huge impact on the contribution of metals to our air,” said lead author Greg Carling, a professor of geology. “Those metals can get into our bloodstream, get into other organs and other systems in our body and cause other problems.”
Scientists are still studying the impact of breathing in these heavy metals, but we know that people with pre-existing health conditions suffer most. And that’s not just when the smoke lingers in the air.
“What I find interesting as a geologist is what happens to the particles when they settle into our soils, crops or water bodies, and there these metals are very persistent,” Carling said.
While it’s unlikely that displays will disappear anytime soon, Carling says there is a simple solution in the meantime.
“Just being aware of where you are and trying to avoid smoke as much as possible will help you,” he said.
Carling also advises against setting off fireworks yourself, as you are more likely to inhale the metals because they are so close to the smoke.
