Fireworks, barbecue smoke raise health concerns during July 4 holiday

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Fourth of July fireworks and barbecues have always been an annual tradition, but it all comes at a cost to vulnerable people like the young, the elderly and those with asthma.

RELATED ARTICLE: Dearborn Heights fireworks expert shares safety tips for home fireworks

Dearborn Heights Fireworks Expert Shares Safety Tips for Home Fireworks

Jeremy Tacon, 50, came to see allergy and asthma specialist Dr. Kathleen Dass. He moved to Michigan from New Zealand eight years ago. And since then, his asthma has only gotten worse.

“There were times when I thought, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me?’ ‘Do I need to go to the emergency room because I couldn’t breathe?’ That’s why I have to be very careful when I’m grilling outside.” said Tacon.

But this week will be difficult for Tacon and others with asthma.

“Anything that smokes is an asthma trigger,” Tacon said.

RELATED ARTICLE: It’s Grilling Season: A Grilling Master Offers Some Tips and Secrets

It’s grilling season: A grilling master offers some tips and secrets

This is why smoke from July 4th fireworks and barbecues is a concern.

“The average fireworks we put in our driveway are going to have a 50-foot smoke radius,” said Dass.

“How concerning is this?” asked 7 News Detroit reporter Faraz Javed.

“There was a paper written by IQ Care that measures air quality and they said that particles are increasing anywhere from 42% to 350% in most places,” Dass said.

“These are tiny microns that we call fine particles, which can be like little invisible hairs, and because these particles are so small, they enter our bloodstream when we inhale.” said Darren Riley, Founder and CEO of JustAir.

JustAir is a Detroit-based organization that monitors Michigan’s air quality.

“When there are a lot of fireworks in the air, they release particles and heavy metals,” Riley said.

“People can always say it’s just one day – how serious can it be?” Javed asked.

“Being an asthmatic myself, one day the air quality could be bad and the next day it could trigger an asthma attack. People might not get their medication and end up in the hospital. What we can do is be more thoughtful about the number of fireworks we have or gather in a large group, like the Detroit fireworks,” Riley said.

RELATED ARTICLE: Wayne County Commission Calls on State to Tighten Fireworks Restrictions

Wayne County Commission Calls on State to Tighten Fireworks Restrictions

Noise pollution is another aspect of fireworks that law enforcement will be cracking down on. In Sterling Heights, police will be enforcing a strict noise ordinance after 11 p.m.

“We will actively patrol the neighborhoods and ensure that when we encounter someone who is acting illegally, we issue them a ticket and, if necessary, take them to jail.” said Capt. Mario Bastianelli of the Sterling Heights Police Department.

On July 4, the Sterling Heights Police Department conducted 157 illegal fireworks-related operations, which Bastianelli said was a waste of resources. But for safety reasons, 15 additional officers will be deployed during the holiday.

“There are so many consequences and problems that happen, like fireworks scaring animals, people sleeping and having to work. There are many options you can implement outside of throwing your own party or shooting off fireworks illegally,” Bastianelli said.

Now, if you can’t escape Fourth of July fireworks or barbecue smoke, Dass says an N95 mask will be more useful than a surgical mask.

Also click here to learn more about fireworks safety.