Analyzing Firework Emissions Across Various Locations and Settings in the United States

Abstract

Independence Day celebrations in the United States are often accompanied by large, bright firework performances. These firework celebrations are accompanied by multiple negative effects, including harm to human and wildlife health, increased air pollutant emissions, and contamination of soil and groundwater. Due to the nature of fireworks as combustion reactions, they release particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and others, all of which have respiratory and cardiovascular impacts. Datasets from the EPA’s Air Quality Service for hourly readings of CO, NO, and PM2.5/10 for the month of July in 2021-2023 were processed using RStudio. Hourly concentrations from July 4th, 18 LST to July 5th, 17 LST were compared with hourly averages from July 1st-7th and July 1st-31st, excluding the Independence Day timeframe. Differences in concentrations across urban, suburban, and rural settings were also examined to understand relationships between emissions from fireworks and population density. Preliminary results indicate that all pollutant levels are generally heightened from 18LST to 7LST, and start to return to average levels after that. Differences are generally higher in states with large cities, like New York and District of Columbia. The main goal of the study was to examine locational and population impacts on firework emissions to potentially create a better understanding of an emission source that may not be accurately represented in current models and allow efforts to reduce emissions from fireworks to be targeted in areas with the most impact to more rapidly see results.