Washington was briefly the most polluted city in the world, according to IQAir data, after a massive Independence Day fireworks show touted by the Trump administration as “awesome.”
Pyrotecnico, the company hired by the White House Freedom 250 organization, had set a goal of breaking a world record by launching 850,000 fireworks, although experts had warned that launching so many in just 40 minutes could pose serious health risks.
The Fourth of July fell during an unprecedented heat wave that disrupted the parades, block parties and barbecues that traditionally mark the day the United States celebrates its break with Britain.
The display of colorful explosives, planned to be the highlight of the day, was delayed by more than an hour due to a storm and finally began shortly before midnight.
Washington pollution monitors began recording spikes around 8 p.m. Saturday, signaling local fireworks displays. But fine particle levels rose dramatically during the main show, leaving people looking downwind with an obscured view as the smoke moved closer.
Fine particle pollution, defined as smoke and particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause acute injuries but also long-term illness, peaked at more than 200 micrograms per cubic meter at one monitoring site, according to data collected by the city and reviewed by AFP presented.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 24-hour standard limits exposure to 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
“Code Purple” alerts, which denote air quality considered very unhealthy for everyone, not just at-risk groups, covered much of the city, as well as the broader region, including neighboring Virginia and Maryland.
And according to data collected by the Swiss company IQAir, which draws on a variety of public and private sources, Washington was the most polluted major city in the world between 3 and 5 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.
It is currently ranked 41st, with Jakarta, Kinshasa and Addis Ababa occupying the top three spots.
The fireworks are awesome
When asked for comment, EPA press secretary Brigit Hirsch said AFP: “The fireworks are incredible and we hope everyone enjoyed the incredible displays in and around our nation's capital to celebrate 250 years of America.”
During Trump's second term, the EPA has touted its deregulatory actions and advocated on behalf of polluting industries.
Heavy rain helped clear the smoke and conditions had returned to normal around midday Sunday, which scientists called a stroke of luck.
“We dodged a bullet. It was very bad, but it could have been substantially worse,” said Russell Dickerson, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Maryland. AFP.
Before the event, Pyrotecnico said AFP Their goal was to beat the current world record for the largest fireworks display, which was set on New Year's Day 2016 in the Philippines with around 811,000 fireworks.
But it was not clear if they had succeeded.
A Guinness World Records spokesperson confirmed to AFP had received a request for the Washington event.
“At this stage, we cannot confirm whether the record has been achieved. We will only be able to do so once the evidence has been fully submitted and reviewed by our Records team.”
