Observation of COVID-19’s Impact on PM2.5 Concentration as a Result of Independence Day Fireworks

Abstract:

PM_2.5 observations across the U.S. have indicated that unhealthy spikes are a common occurrence on Independence Day evening as a result of municipal and residential fireworks. However, in 2020, the threat of COVID-19 caused the cancellation of numerous municipal firework displays around the country. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which COVID-19 and the resulting firework display cancellations affected the concentration of PM_2.5 on July 4, 2020. Ten PM_2.5 measurement sites from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were selected due to their consistency in experiencing large PM_2.5 spikes on the evenings of July 4 from 2010-2019. Data revealed that the trend of increased PM_2.5 levels on July 4 continued in 2020 despite the reported reduction in municipal firework displays in these communities, though the magnitude of the PM_2.5 spikes varied greatly when compared to the average magnitudes from 2010-2019. Atmospheric variables in wind speed and direction could not explain the variability in PM_2.5 spikes, although this does not definitively rule out the possibility of other variables or phenomenon influencing PM_2.5 concentration. Another potential cause for the continued PM_2.5 spikes in 2020 may be attributed to residential firework displays. It appears that firework display cancellations did result in lessened PM_2.5 concentrations for certain locations across the U.S. on Independence Day as the majority of the observed measurement sites in this study experienced a decreased PM_2.5 spike magnitude from the average. However, even with these cancellations, PM_2.5 concentrations exhibited significant peaks in the locations studied suggesting that residential firework displays are a significant contributor to increased PM_2.5 concentration.