The Air Pollution Level on New Year’s Day: Fireworks ✨vs. Cars 🚚and Home Heating 🏠

"Panem et circenses" -Games and bread. With this famous saying, the Roman poet Juvenal showed the hypocrisy of a corrupt government trying to maintain positive public sentiment and distract from what politicians actually do. Most of the time, the public is kept in fear and uncertainty, but in order for this to have an effect, it is sometimes necessary to loosen up and provide entertainment for the people. We are constantly threatened by how terribly polluted the atmosphere is, but one day a year this is forgotten and cities sponsor the most beautiful fireworks shows with taxpayers' money. The entire fireworks industry is geared to this one day, and so in many countries there is a ban on the sale of fireworks for most of the year.

In this blog, we'll look at what kind of atmospheric pollution new year eve fireworks cause, and compare it to gas emissions from cars and home heating.

What air pollution is caused by fireworks?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fireworks can emit a range of harmful gases, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions can contribute to air pollution and have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, the average concentration of PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less) during a fireworks event can reach up to 1,000 μg/m3, which is significantly higher than the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of 20 μg/m3. This is a significant concern, as PM10 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems.

In Beijing, for example, the air quality index (AQI) reached hazardous levels on New Year's Day 2021, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 500 micrograms per cubic meter. This is 20 times the recommended safe level set by the World Health Organization.

Cars and Air Pollution

Cars, on the other hand, are a major source of atmospheric pollution throughout the year. They emit harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM), which contribute to air pollution. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a typical car emits around 24 pounds of carbon monoxide, 10 pounds of nitrogen oxides, and 5 pounds of particulate matter per year.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, releasing pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide into the air. These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Home Heating and Air Pollution

Home heating is also a significant source of air pollution. According to the EPA, burning fossil fuels for heat can release pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air. These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Analyzing pollution from fireworks, cars, and home heating.

All contribute to air pollution, the impact of each source varies depending on the location and time of year. In general, cars and home heating are more consistent sources of pollution, while fireworks are a more sporadic source. However, on New Year's Day, fireworks can cause a significant spike in air pollution. In Beijing, for example, the AQI reached hazardous levels on New Year's Day 2021 due to fireworks, while the AQI remained at moderate levels on other days. It's worth noting that while fireworks may cause a significant spike in air pollution on New Year's Day, the overall impact of fireworks on air quality is relatively small compared to cars and home heating.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the total emissions of PM10 from fireworks in the United States are estimated to be around 12,000 tons per year. In contrast, the total emissions of PM10 from cars in the United States are estimated to be around 3.1 million tons per year.

Therefore, the percentage of PM10 emissions from fireworks compared to cars is:

12,000 tons / 3.1 million tons = 0.00387, or 0.387%

This means that fireworks account for only 0.387% of the total PM10 emissions from cars in the United States.

Conclusion

While fireworks can cause a significant spike in air pollution on New Year's Day, their overall impact on air quality is relatively small compared to cars and home heating. However, the spike in pollution caused by fireworks is still a concern, particularly for those with respiratory problems. To reduce the impact of fireworks on air quality, some cities have implemented regulations on the use of fireworks. Air pollution from fireworks is acceptable if we consider the amount of joy it brings to society.