New Year's Eve Air Pollution Advisory Issued For Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — In preparation for fireworks to be launched across Los Angeles tonight, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an air pollution advisory for Beverly Hills. The advisory will last through Friday morning, as smoke from fireworks is expected to plague the skies.

Fireworks are known to emit high levels of particulate matter as well as metal air pollutants, all of which can contribute to negative health effects, according to regulators, who warned that Air Quality Index levels may reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category or higher during.

"Fine particulate matter levels on days with excessive firework activity are typically among the worst (highest) days of the year in the South Coast Air Basin," AQMD wrote. "The smoke and combustion products from fireworks add to the fine particles already present in the Basin that are primarily caused by motor vehicles, residential wood combustion, fugitive dust and industrial emissions. The use of personal “backyard” fireworks can also spark wildfires, which can be a major source of fine particulate matter."

South Coast AQMD has also called a basin-wide No-Burn Day for Thursday due to higher predicted particulate matter levels. Wood burning is prohibited from midnight through 11:59 p.m. for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, including Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

City News Service contributed to this report.