New Year’s Eve is almost here and maybe you are planning to visit a firework show or light fireworks yourself. Something you might not have been aware of, is the high amount of particulate matter firework produces. Firework is mostly used at night, so you don’t see how much soot and particulate matter is produced: the amounts are astonishing. Read on for the exact amounts or watch the video of firework used during the day to see for yourself how much is produced. Also be aware that if you suffer from asthma, COPD or stuffiness, it is best to watch the firework from indoors.
On a normal day, the particulate matter concentration limit is set at 33 µg/m³ (PM10, The Netherlands). However, during New Year’s Eve, the average particulate matter concentration rises up to on average 456 µg/m³. That is almost 14 times higher than the daily limit! The lowest measurements in the Netherlands last year was measured at 100µg/m³ in Maassluis, which is still three times over the daily limit. The peak was measured in Utrecht (1290 µg/m³, 39 times the daily limit). These numbers are extremely high, which makes it relatable when we hear about the amount of people who are affected by the air pollution around New Year’s Eve.
The rule of thumb is the smaller the particle, the more harm it will cause in the human body. People who suffer from asthma, COPD or stuffiness are most likely to experience breathing difficulties during New Year’s Eve. Looking at the video and the particulate measurements, this does not come as a surprise. For those suffering from breathing related issues, it is important to stay indoors when the firework is being used. Make sure to air your home in advance in the morning, when no firework has yet been used. Additionally, close all doors and windows after airing your home, to make sure the particulate matter from the firework does not enter your residence.
In order to protect yourself from high particulate matter levels, it is also possible to implement air purification in your home. When the residence is equipped with a heat recovery ventilation system, one can add the ASPRA S INduct in the duct behind the ventilation system. Making sure the air that is transported into the residence is purified from particulate matter. If the residence is not equipped with a heat recovery system, one can implement an ASPRA Aura air purifier in the room where most time is spent. Want to know more? Feel free to contact us.
