SoCal Air Pollution Reaches Dangerous Levels Due To Fireworks

LOS ANGELES, CA — The combination of Southland smog, brush fires and fireworks smoke made for dangerous levels of air pollution across Southern California Wednesday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District warned.

Over the last 24 hours, the Southland endured some of the worst air pollution on the planet, and residents were advised to take precautions through Wednesday night, according to air quality officials and the World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index.

The district's particulate advisory is set to expire at midnight Wednesday.

The Inland Empire reported some of the highest levels of particulate matter, causing the Air Quality Index to top 250 in places such as Ontario. Much of Riverside and San Bernardino counties and the San Gabriel Valley saw the Air Quality Index exceed 150, the level at which air quality officials urge everyone to limit outdoor activity. The inland mountains and valleys in Los Angeles and Orange Counties also endured some of the worst air quality of the year Wednesday.

Pollution levels between 101 and 150 is considered unhealthy.

"Fireworks emit high levels of particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10) as well as metal air pollutants, all of which can contribute to negative health effects. ... Breathing of 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 disease," the South Coast Air Quality Management District warned.

July 4 and 5 are typically among the worst days of the year in the South Coast Air Basin for airborne particles, the AQMD said.

In addition to limiting outdoor activity, residents were asked not to use swamp coolers or whole house fans that cool homes by bringing cooler outdoor air inside. Residents are urged to avoid wood-burning fireplaces and firepits as well.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, conditions should return to normal Thursday with moderate-to-good air quality conditions prevailing across most of the Southland except for areas such as Banning and San Bernardino, which are forecast to have air quality conditions considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

City News Service contributed to this report.