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| Source: sltrib.com |
We have discussed this issue previously, especially after this past New Years Eve when numerous fireworks displays went off despite wide-spread poor air quality. This led to a measurable increase in PM2.5, making a bad air quality episode even worse. Although I am less concerned with summertime fireworks when mixing is typically more vigorous, their impact on air quality has been documented and it would make sense to curtail them in situations where the air quality is degraded and we don't want to add insult to injury.
Below is a repost of the First Day Fireworks Fiasco post of January 1, 2014, which shows some of the impacts of fireworks on PM2.5.
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First Day Fireworks Fiasco
Reposted from January 1, 2014
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| The gunk remains on New Years Day |
Overnight PM2.5 concentrations show possible evidence of a fireworks pollution spike right after midnight in both Utah and Weber counties. Hourly PM2.5 concentrations in Utah County spiked from about 30 to 50 ug/m3 after midnight. They have settled down a bit, but remain higher than they were yesterday and are now in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category.
A similar spike was observed in Weber County, which is now well into the unhealthy for all groups category.
The evidence for a spike in Salt Lake County is less clear, but it needs to be noted that the sensor is at Hawthorne Elementary, which is typically upstream of downtown at night. I suspect most of the fireworks pollution was swept over the Great Salt Lake where it will slowly mix with all the other gunk and contribute to our long term pollution woes.
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| Source: Utah Division of Air Quality |
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| Source: Utah Division of Air Quality |
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| Source: Utah Division of Air Quality |
Once again, we have met the enemy and it is us. How we can allow for the use of fireworks during such conditions is beyond me. A Salt Lake Tribune article from last 4th of July suggests that a federal regulations loophole allows it, but I suspect the spirit of that loophole is to allow for a temporary increase in pollution during periods of otherwise good air quality. In this instance, we are mired in terrible pollution and there is no justification for letting the show go on.
Mayor Becker obviously does not understand the science of air pollution enough to be forcing it down everyone's throat. Time and place people, time and place. Looks like he has decided to go down the political posturing route on Utahs "bad air" problem rather then sticking to the Factual probelm-Beneficial solution model. Didn't we learn anything with Al Gore's approach? The only reason it soured so many peoples coffee is because he went away from the scientific facts with falsehood solutions.
ReplyDeleteStick with me, here is an example if a real solution:
Utah has bad air, most intensely during inversion events, which are weather determined. A large portion of the inversion insistently is determined by number of cars on the road. UTA is not making the mass transit option practical for many folks for many reasons, so, here is a solution I have not heard any talk on, which is surprising. On the days when we have recorded or projected unhealthy air have a predetermined tax rate per employee, or per employee commuter time, allowed to work from home that day, it needs to be appealing enough for everyone in order to get practical participation initially. The details could get a little complicated but the concept is pure. Allow people to work from home on bad air days taking vehicles off the road significantly more then any other proposal I have heard yet. Businesses will bitch about participating for this reason or that but in reality this could work and our states "mayor" Becker needs to stay on point. Eliminate fireworks? whats the matter with you Mayor?!
Deven
Meh, fireworks in the tinderbox of the greater SLC area is probably not a good idea for other reasons.
ReplyDelete-LP