According to an American study, on festive days when fireworks are organized, the rate of fine particles and air pollution increases by 42%.
Burns of the hands, secondary infections, amputations, for a long time now, the firecrackers of July 14 have become the pet peeve of orthopedic surgeons. On the eve of the festivities, the French Society of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (SOFCOT) had therefore decided to alert so that the festivities do not turn into a nightmare.
But on that day another caveat could have been issued. Indeed, according to a recent study, the other danger of fireworks displays is the aggravation of pollution, caused by smoke from fireworks.
Rising fine particulate matter levels
In these works published in the journal Atmospheric Environment, US researchers analyzed air quality data from 315 fireworks sites in the United States between 1999 and 2013. They monitored the levels of fine particles and chemicals in the atmosphere before , during and after the July 4th fireworks display, the National Day celebrating the independence of the United States.
And the results reported by these scientists are final. They found a 42% increase in the level of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air within an hour of the fireworks display, compared to other days of the year.
This rate returns to normal the next day at noon, ie 16 hours after the fireworks display.
A worrying conclusion when we know that these fine particles promote anxiety, stroke, and more to drink the lungs and arteries. According to a recent study, air pollution kills even more than AIDS and malaria!
Recommendations for frail people
Conclusions of the experts, the spectators who are near the fireworks or who are exposed to smoke due to the wind find themselves unknowingly subjected to levels of fine particles well above health standards.
People suffering from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases (especially asthma) are therefore advised to take the necessary precautions.
For example, by moving to a location that is not facing the wind and far enough away to avoid the cloud of smoke. These risks are added to those already affecting people with epilepsy. Light explosions can indeed cause the onset of a crisis, recalls Metronews in one of his articles.
In the aftermath of the July 14 festivities, a senatorial report revealed that France spends nearly 100 billion euros each year to counter the damage linked to atmospheric pollution … but the part attributable to fires celebrating the national holiday does not is not specified.
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