Awful Air Quality Due To July 4 Fireworks Forecast In RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — With fireworks expected to fill the air with smoke in many parts of the region for the Fourth of July, local air regulators warned Friday of potentially poor air quality that could have negative health effects.

A "particulate advisory" will be in effect Sunday through Monday afternoon due to the anticipated levels of particulate matter in the air, along with metal air pollutants, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The advisory will affect the South Coast Air Basin, which includes all of western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley.

According to the AQMD, the air quality index could reach the "very unhealthy" level.

"The use of personal 'backyard' fireworks also contributes to this air pollution and can further increase how much air pollution a person is breathing," according to the AQMD. "In addition, personal 'backyard' fireworks may create even higher levels of fine particulate matter locally that are far higher than regional particulate levels."

Personal fireworks are banned across Riverside County except in the cities of Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio, which allow only "safe and sane" devices, like sparklers and fountains, that don't shoot into the air.

Regulators said levels of particulate matter in the air on July 4-5 are traditionally among the worst of the year.

"Breathing fine particulate matter can lead to a wide variety of cardiovascular and respiratory health effects such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing or difficulty breathing and may lead to premature death in people with heart or lung diseases," according to the AQMD.