The aftermath of the Fourth of July festivities has left Southern California grappling with air quality issues that might linger longer than the echoes of fireworks. CBS News Los Angeles reports an air quality alert issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) that will continue through Saturday evening, affecting areas from the Santa Clarita Valley down to the Inland Empire.
Owing to the blanket of fireworks, the night sky that was beautifully lit is now the primary culprit for high levels of fine particles including PM2.5 and PM10, as well as metal air pollutants that can negatively impact health, according to officials. Adding to the pollution, the legal shows coupled with "personal 'backyard' fireworks" have led to even higher concentrations of fine particulate matter, particularly impacting local areas, as "personal 'backyard' fireworks" could create higher localized pollution levels, according to CBS News Los Angeles.
As detailed by KTLA, showing that many areas have unhealthy air—defined by an air quality index (AQI) between 151 and 200—with spots like Azusa and Glendora reaching hazardous levels, indicating an AQI of 301 to 500. AQMD has suggested several measures to avoid the ill effects of this polluted air, such as remaining indoors with windows closed, avoiding strenuous physical activities, and running air conditioning systems that do not pull in external air. For more detailed guidance, residents can visit the AQMD website.
