Air Quality Advisory Issued Due to Expected Firework Smoke
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) issued an air quality advisory today, July, 1. This is due to the high levels of smoke from fireworks expected in the coming days.
Fireworks are legally permitted to be used from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3, and from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 4.
The LLCHD said the air quality typically reaches levels of unhealthiness during this time.
“The current National Weather Service forecast calls for breezy conditions with the potential for thunderstorms the night of July 3, which should help move smoke out of the area and help limit the severity and duration of poor air quality Friday night,” said Gary Bergstrom, LLCHD Air Quality Section Supervisor. “However, wind speeds on the night of July 4 are predicted to be much lower, which is likely to result in much higher levels of smoke in the air that may linger into Sunday morning. Breathing smoke can cause asthma attacks, worsen chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and cause chest pain in some people with heart disease.”
With the weather forecasts, the lack of wind expected on July 3 and 4 contributes to the Lincoln’s Air Quality Index (AQI).
According to LLCHD, it is unhealthy for people with higher sensitivity when the AQI is in the orange category. When it is in the red category, everyone is at risk from the air quality.
The LLCHD reminds residents to watch for symptoms like coughing or fatigue. If residents have higher sensitivity, they are urged to take extra precautions such as having medicine readily available or take breaks from outside.
