Doctors warn Prince George's patients to avoid July 4 fireworks smoke
A record-setting National Mall fireworks show is pushing heart patients indoors, with doctors warning that smoke and heat can turn Prince George's air risky.
About 850,000 fireworks are planned over roughly 40 minutes on the National Mall as the District prepares a record-setting July 4 display.
Physicians in Washington and Prince George’s County warn people with cardiovascular disease to stay indoors or leave the area. The warning is aimed first at older adults and people living with heart failure, arrhythmias, prior heart attack or stroke, and other preexisting conditions that make them more vulnerable to smoke and heat. Short-term exposure to air pollution can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmias and heart failure in susceptible people, while hot days can worsen air quality and polluted air can trigger the same kinds of cardiovascular events.
Fine particulate matter from fireworks can travel through the region, and exposure over hours to days can damage blood vessels and the heart. Particulates near fireworks displays can exceed health-based air quality standards, and breathing smoke can raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Avoid standing outside near the displays, keep windows closed, run air conditioning if it is available, and have medications close by before symptoms start. Caregivers should pay attention to chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath or dizziness, because those can turn into an emergency quickly when smoke and extreme heat are part of the same night.
All consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Prince George’s County, and only licensed professional displays are allowed. Alan Doubleday, a spokesperson for the Prince George’s County Fire Department, said fireworks are dangerous and illegal in the county, calling them “basically fireballs that are airborne.”
Fire officials in Washington, Maryland and Virginia urge residents to leave fireworks to the professionals, and licensed July 4 celebrations in the region are available instead of backyard launches.
This article was produced by Prism’s automated news system from verified source data, official records, and press releases, then run through automated quality and moderation checks before publishing. The system is built and supervised by the people who set the standards it runs under. Read our full AI policy.
Did this article answer your question?
