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Thousands of Californians planning outdoor July 4 celebrations have
been urged to avoid barbecuing because of a regional air quality
alert in effect this weekend.

The National Weather Service issued an alert for parts of Southern
California, warning of "harmful" levels of fine particle pollution
across Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Why It Matters
Authorities warn that particle pollution can penetrate deeply into
the lungs and may lead to serious health issues, including heart
attacks, bronchitis, asthma flare-ups and trouble breathing.

While anyone can be affected, the risk is higher for vulnerable
groups—such as individuals with heart or lung conditions, older
adults, pregnant people, children and those who spend extended time
outside.

What To Know
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also issued
a particle advisory because of the potential effects of fireworks
on air quality.

"Fireworks release high levels of particle pollution (PM2.5 and
PM10) and air toxic metals, with July 4th and July 5th typically
having among the highest particle pollution levels every year in
the South Coast Air Basin," it said.

"Personal 'backyard' fireworks may lead to localized spikes in
particle pollution levels and may spark wildfires, which can be a
major source of particle pollution," it added.

"The smoke and combustion products from fireworks add to the
particles already present in the Basin that are primarily caused by transportation and industrial emissions," the South Coast AQMD
continued.

Areas affected included major cities, such as Riverside, San
Bernardino, Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Monica and Long Beach.

South Coast AQMD said that on Friday, light winds combined with
heightened emissions from fireworks after dusk were expected to
raise pollution levels in the South Coast Air Basin. As a result,
the Air Quality Index (AQI) could at times reach the hazardous
range in much of Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as the
Inland Empire.

On Saturday, according to South Coast AQMD, particle pollution
levels are expected to stay elevated into the morning, then decline
during the day as winds help disperse the pollutants. The AQI may
again occasionally reach the hazardous range, with inland areas
likely experiencing these high levels for a longer duration than
coastal regions.


Residents in affected areas are advised to take steps to help keep
indoor air clean when the outdoor air quality is poor—including
keeping windows and doors closed and avoiding other sources of
pollution, such as fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and
gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.

The AQI measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301 and above.

0–50: Good. Air quality is satisfactory.
51–100: Moderate. Air quality is acceptable, with potential
concerns for sensitive individuals.
101–150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Air quality may affect
people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and
pregnant individuals.
151–200: Unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health
effects, and sensitive groups may see more serious effects.
201–300: Very Unhealthy. The risk of health effects is increased
for everyone.
301 and above: Hazardous. The air quality requires a health warning
of emergency conditions, and everyone is more likely to be affected.
What People Are Saying
Jonathan Grigg, a professor of pediatric respiratory and
environmental medicine at Queen Mary, University of London,
previously told Newsweek that there are "very clear links" between
inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases.

He added: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are
children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs
developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults."

The South Coast Air Quality Management District wrote on X on
Thursday: "#FIREWORKS PARTICLE POLLUTION ADVISORY (July 4-5): Poor
air quality due to #IndependenceDay fireworks is likely this
#FourthofJuly holiday. Personal 'backyard' fireworks also
contribute to this air pollution and may lead to negative health
effects."

What Happens Next
The National Weather Service said the air quality alerts were in
effect from 5 p.m. on July 4 to 11:59 p.m. on July 5.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/thousands-in- california-told-not-to-barbecue-on-july-4/ar-AA1HTsNT

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