Fireworks bring dangerous pollution, but bigger is better

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Air quality will be a big issue on the fourth, but experts say you can help stop the dangerous trend by only watching the biggest fireworks displays.

LINK: Central Valley 4th of July Fireworks Events

The beautiful aerial displays celebrating the birth of a nation come with an ugly side effect closer to the ground.

"They're really, really small microns that can get into your bloodstream," said Cassandra Melching of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. "It can trigger asthma attacks. It can even trigger heart attacks, strokes, so it's pretty brutal."

Particulate matter spikes every year in the late hours of July 4, mostly because the fireworks start when the sun goes down.

The air pollution control district usually registers air quality jump from moderate to unhealthy or worse, which is bad news for everyone, but especially young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or asthma issues.

"This is really, really impactful," Melching said. "This, you know, if a person isn't taking their proper medications or isn't aware of it, this could definitely push them over the edge."

Other factors come into play as well. In Visalia last year, fireworks combined with smoke from a nearby wildfire to make the air hazardous for anyone to breathe.

Even though big public fireworks displays create a smoky sky, experts say you're much better off watching them than smaller shows near your home.

"If you've ever been to a city firework show, you'll see the smoke and then it takes right off," Melching said as she made a blowing sound. "But if you've been to a neighborhood block party where they do the 4th of July, you'll drive around the corner and it's socked in and cloudy and gray and not good."

Experts say you're safest when you stay upwind and watch from a distance, especially at one of the public shows.