DC fireworks show led to ‘Code Red’ air quality alert around nation’s capital

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WASHINGTON (WDCW) – The Washington, D.C. area was under an air quality alert after a dazzling fireworks show lit up the nation’s capital to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July Fourth.

D.C. issued the “Code Red” air quality alert on Sunday morning, hours after the record-setting fireworks display on the National Mall had ended.

The “Code Red” alert indicated that outdoor air quality was recorded at “unhealthy” levels for “seniors, kids [and] people with medical conditions,” according to AlertDC. While the alert was in effect, officials recommended the general public in impacted areas limit time spent outside.

According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), Northern Virginia was also in the red zone. Thee following areas were under Code Red Air Quality levels on Sunday:

D.C.

Arlington

Alexandria

Fairfax

Fairfax County

Prince William County

Loudoun County

Manassas

Manassas Park

While unhealthy, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) had initially forecast a Code Purple alert for D.C. and Northern Virginia for Sunday, which would indicate “very unhealthy” air quality after the especially large fireworks show.

“There’s a lot of particulate matter that’s very, very small- and with the volume of fireworks that we’re expecting, particulate matter can even be as much as 7 to 12 times higher than typically expected with fireworks,” Dr. Karen Kaufman, of Kaufman Allergy Asthma and Immunology, previously told Nexstar’s WDCW.

Kaufman explained that the tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs and may contain heavy metals, increasing health concerns for people with respiratory conditions.

“All of the particulate matter is very, very small and gets very far deep into the lungs, and that can include some heavy metals. So for patients who have asthma … they should have their relief inhalers ready in case they need it,” said Kaufman.

Experts also said the heat in the D.C.-area may cause any unhealthy conditions to linger. As of Monday morning, the air quality in Northern Virginia and D.C., as well as suburban D.C., were said to be back to “moderate,” according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Saturday night’s fireworks show on the National Mall, billed as the “World’s Largest Fireworks Display” by the Trump-backed Freedom 250 committee organization, contained a reported 850,000 fireworks. The show kicked off shortly before midnight after storms forced attendees to evacuate the National Mall, delaying the festivities.

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