2023 NYC Fourth of July fireworks caused a temporary 200x increase in air pollution, with water samples revealing double the levels of firework metals in the East River.

A study by NYU Langone Health revealed that New York City's 2023 Fourth of July fireworks display led to a significant surge in air pollution, with pollutant levels up to 200 times the average daily fine-particle concentration. Air quality took up to 12 hours to return to normal levels in some areas, and water samples collected from the East River had double the levels of metals used to create firework colors, such as lead, nickel, and antimony. The researchers suggest that major firework displays can create a temporary spike in air pollution that may pose a health risk to both humans and the environment.

August 06, 2024
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