Here it goes directly to

Literature

'Something about Asthma' (what happens when asthma occurs / number of patients / economic costs of asthma / death by asthma)

The project 'safe haven' of the American Lung Association of Hawaii (ALAH)

Newspaper articles about the project 'Safe Haven' 

Recommendations of the American Lung Association of Hawaii (ALAH)

Newspaper articles about 'fireworks and asthma'

In connection with fireworks one mostly thinks first of the numerous explosion consequences and burns as well as of eye and ear damages and hand injuries. And one often forgets another important aspect: The smoke of fireworks consists mainly of fine toxic dusts (particulate matter, PM10) that easily enter the lungs and represents a real danger for those already sick as well as for the healthy. In addition, fireworks let-offs are the result of explosions releasing a mixture of chemical components. In a fireworks burn-down a number of chemical reactions take place among the particles involved (so-called conversion of matter); at the same time a large number of new substances are generated, substances of largely unknown composition and toxicity. 

Emission measurements, which attest increased contents of pyrotechnic elements in fine dust (PM10), are available from the USA [Perry], the Netherlands [Noordijk] and Switzerland [BRISKA]. It was shown in Basel that e.g. the concentration of potassium on August 1 was approximately 100 times higher than before or  after that date. While on ordinary days potassium was mainly contained in the coarse particles, on August 1 potassium was attested mainly in small particles. Emissions of fireworks cumulate therefore mainly in  small particles.

In the Federal State of Washington the metal contents measured in fine dust PM2.5 on 4th July 1990 (American national holiday) showed that the concentrations of the characteristic content materials of fireworks, such as strontium and barium,  rose around 20 respectively 50 times in the daily average.

During the Stockholm Water Festival in 1996, air pollutant levels were measured before and after the fireworks display. Levels of airborne arsenic were found to be twice as normal, while levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, zinc and chromium were 4 to 5 times higher than normal.

The Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL) concludes in its study "Fireworks":

Ø      Investigations in the country and abroad show that increased metal contents in the air on special holidays have to be attributed to fireworks.

Ø      Fine dust originating from fireworks differ in their composition substantially from types of dust from other sources of emission. The health risks are only insufficiently investigated.

Emissions of fireworks are a well-known cause of health impairments. Particularly affected are persons who suffer from illnesses of the respiratory system, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) as well as  heart and circulation disturbances.  

The article "New Year's Eve with protective mask. Some humans suffer heavily under New Year's Eve and 1st August fireworks: The poisonous smoke leads to dizziness, heart disturbances and asthma attacks." describes the health impairments induced by the poisonous chemicals of fireworks by some people with MCS and asthmatic (à please read also http://www.stop-fireworks.org/injured_persons.htm  where people with MCS and/or asthma describe in an impressive way their health problems caused by the poisonous chemical-mix of fireworks.). Nevertheless people extremely hurt by the chemical-mix of fireworks who must stay behind closed windows and in addition have to wear a paper or gauze mask to protect themselves are not taken seriously by their surroundings, by  authorities, nor by a majority of physicians unfortunately.

Other countries take the situation essentially more seriously (à different newspaper articles and scientific articles). E.g. Gregg Kishaba, the "director of asthma education" of  the American Lung Association of Hawaii recommends among other things: ("Fireworks sales expected to be lower for new Year's - Fewer retailers have obtained licenses, and fewer people are expected to buy them", 26.12.2002, http://starbulletin.com/2002/12/26/news/story3.html):

Ø      Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and use an air conditioner or air purifier with a good filter during the heaviest fireworks celebration.  

Ø      Wear a paper or gauze mask to decrease smoke inhalation.

(and in addition The Lung Association offers free dust respirators and of coordinates kamaaina rates at 13 hotels to at-risk resident.)

All of these facts have long been well-known to  the authorities; for years citizens have complained again and again. The complaints are addressed  primarily to the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), the central office for explosives and pyrotechnics in the Federal Office for Police and to various police stations.

It is not by chance that the SAEFL writes in its report "ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS NR. 140, environmentally hazardous materials, fireworks: Impact on the environment and safety aspects 2001": <<Today's fireworks' consumption amounts to 1000-2000 t/a. This causes in particular air pollution and danger of accidents. Humans with illnesses of the respiratory system and circulation problems must be advised to avoid fireworks.>> (P. 9) and <<Also foreign investigations... show  that complaints can come from handicapped persons with chronic respiratory illnesses.>> (P. 12) as well as <<Air pollution above all is not to be ignored  when dealing with large fireworks. With the emissions of fine dust particles entering the lungs (PM10) one moves within the range of detriments for sensitive persons.>> (P. 13)

Nevertheless the report - surprisingly - concludes <<air quality limits are no doubt observed>> and that there exists <<no acute health hazard>>.

Although some paragraphs covering health protection of its people/citizens can be found in different Swiss laws, authorities, politicians, physicians etc. neglect in an incomprehensible way that part of the population with the heaviest health impairments caused by poisonous chemical-mix from fireworks.

The majority of the remaining population does not understand why the specifically poisonous chemical-mix from fireworks leads for more and more humans to heaviest health impairments and, yes, even to a death threat. Information on this subject is very much needed – and  could perhaps influence the one or the other to feel responsible towards his/her neighbours and the environment and to renounce - without waiting for additional legal regulations – to letting-off fireworks altogether.

* * *

[No authors listed]

Atemnot durch Feuerwerk bei Kindern mit Asthma. 

Praxis–Depesche, 2001; 15(5):11

Feuerwerk führt nicht nur zu äusseren Verletzungen. Substanzen im Verbrennungsrauch der Raketen und Knallfrösche können lebensbedrohliche Asthmaanfälle hervorrufen.

FAZIT: Feuerwerksrauch kann für Asthmatiker lebensbedrohlich sein.

à Bezieht sich auf den Artikel "Fatal and near-fatal asthma in children exposed to fireworks" von Becker JM et al. (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2000,85:512-13)

Bach W, Daniels A, Dickinson L, Hertlein F, Morrow J, Margolis S, Dinh Dinh V

Fireworks pollution and health

Intern J Environmental Studies, 1975; 7:183-192

This paper discusses the adverse health effects of air and noise pollution caused by fireworks episodes on Oahu, Hawaii. 

It was found that fireworks activities on New Year's Eve on Oahu are responsible for an increase in total suspended particulates by an average of 300% at 14 locations and by about 700% in the lung penetrating size ranges at one location. X-ray microanalysis showed that the particles collected during the control period consisted mainly of halites and pollen, which are common to Hawaii's air, but those collected during the fireworks activities consisted mostly of potassium calcium and sulfur.

In light of the fact that a large number of people with a heart condition or any of the many varieties of respiratory ailments find their state of health worsened during such fireworks episodes, a reasonable solution to this problem would be to display fireworks at a remote place under controlled conditions.

Bach W, Dickinson L, Weiner B, Costello G

Some adverse health effects due to air pollution from fireworks.

Hawaii Med J.1972 Nov-Dec;31(6):459-65

…In conclusion it can be stated that the suffering of those afflicted by respiratory diseases is quite real during such a fireworks episode…

…It would therefore appear that the very high air pollution levels during the fireworks episode might have been responsible for the higher occurrence of respiratory diseases. It is recommended to display fireworks only along the Waikiki coastline to protect a large segment of the Honolulu populace from adverse health effects…

Becker JM, Iskandrian S, Conkling J

Fatal and near-fatal asthma in children exposed to fireworks.

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol (United States), Dec 2000;85(6 Pt 1):512-3  

MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

We are reporting two patients who had severe asthma exacerbation shortly after having exposure to different types of fireworks. One patient had a respiratory arrest and was resuscitated, but subsequently expire. The second patient was able to treated aggressively and avoided intubation. CONCLUSIONS: These cases demonstrate risks that fireworks may present to the asthmatic child and that patient's with asthma should exercise caution when observing or participating in fireworks demonstrations.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11152175&dopt=Abstract

BRISKA (Basler Risikostudie Aussenluft)

Braun-Fahrländer Ch, Theis G, Künzli N, Camenzind M, Röösli M, Monn Ch

Gesundheitsrisiko durch Luftschadstoffe in der Region Basel. 1. Bericht der Studie BRISKA. 

Hrsg. Lufthygieneamt beider Basel, Liestal & Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Basel (1999)

"Kurzfassung der Studie BRISKA (Basler Risikostudie Aussenluft)"

Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin der Universität Basel

Lufthygieneamt beider Basel, Liestal

http://www.unibas.ch/ispmbs/pdf/briska_s.pdf

"Gesundheitsrisiko durch Luftschadstoffe in der Region Basel, 1. Bericht der Studie BRISKA, Analyse der Immissionsmessungen"

http://www.unibas.ch/ispmbs/pdf/briska1.pdf

"Gesundheitsrisiko durch Luftschadstoffe in der Region Basel, 2. Bericht der Studie BRISKA, Abschätzung der kanzerogenen und nicht-kanzerogenen Gesundheitsrisiken"

http://www.unibas.ch/ispmbs/pdf/briska2.pdf 

Dutcher DD, Perry KD, Cahill TA, Copeland SA

Effects of indoor pyrotechnic displays on the air quality in the Houston Astrodome.

Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association. 1999; 49:156-60

Fine and coarse particulate mass samples were collected during baseball games with pyrotechnic displays and control games without displays. The average fine and coarse particulate masses were 173 and 141 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, for the one-hour period immediately following the pyrotechnic displays. The particulate mater generated by the pyrotechnic displays was composed of the following elements (arranged from the most to least abundant): K, S, Mg, Ti, Cl, Si, Ca, Al, Sr, V, Zn, Mn, and Pb…

http://metsun1.sjsu.edu/~perry/research.html

Grether T

"Silvester mit Atemschutz-Maske. Manche Menschen leiden stark unter Silvester- und 1.-August-Feuerwerk: Der giftige Qualm verursacht bei ihnen Schwindel, Herzstörungen und Asthma-Anfälle."

[ "New Year's Eve with protective mask. Some humans suffer heavily under New Year's Eve and 1st August fireworks: The poisonous smoke leads to dizziness, heart disturbances and asthma attacks."] [Article in German]

Puls-Tipp Nr. 12, 1.12.2002

Hirai K, Yamazaki Y, Okada K, Furuta S, Kubo K

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia associated with smoke from fireworks.

Intern Med (Japan), 2000 May,39(5):401-3  

Department of Internal Medicine, Nagano Municipal Hospital

Although the patient had been a habitual cigarette smoker for over 4 months, he had had not any respiratory distress. After he inhaled smoke from fireworks for 3 consecutive nights, the patient began to complain of cough, fever and dyspnea. He was diagnosed as AEP. In this patient, inhaling of smoke from fireworks was clinically suspected to be associated with the induction of AEP (acute eosinophilic pneumonia).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10830182&dopt=Abstract

Noordijk H

Luchtverontreiniging door vuurwerk tijdens jaarwisseling van 1993-1994.

RIVM Rapport Nr. 722101007. Bilthooven 1994.

Perry Kevin D

Effects of outdoor pyrotechnic displays on the regional air quality of western Washington State.

Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 1999;49:146-55

Meteorology Department, San José State University, San José, California

Data from a PM 2.5 particulate matter monitoring network was used to quantify the effects of outdoor pyrotechnic displays on the regional air quality of western Washington State. Linear regression and principal component analysis demonstrated that the fine particulate matter generated by these displays was primarily composed of Sr, K, V, Ti, Ba, Cu, Pb, Mg, Al, S, Mn, Zn, and soot…

…The PM 2.5 aerosol monitoring network tracked the pyrotechnic smoke plume for a period of two days as it was advected by low-level winds. The geometric mass mean diameter of the K particles was ~0.7 mm after transport of ~100 km. In the absence of rain, which is the primary sink for particles of this size, the particulate matter generated by the pyrotechnic displays could have an atmospheric residence time of more than one week.

Implicatons: …These factors indicate that pyrotechnic displays could lead to violations of the aforementioned NAAQS in populous regions of the United States where regional particulate mass concentrations are high during summer…

http://www.awma.org/journal/ShowAbstract.asp?Year=1999&PaperID=572

Ravindra K, Mor S, Kaushik CP

Short-term variation in air quality associated with firework events: a case study.

J Environ Monit (England), Apr 2003, 5(2):260-4  

Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar-125001, India

The effect of fireworks on air quality was assessed from the ambient concentrations of various air pollutants (SO2, NO2, PM10 and TSP) during Diwali festival in Hisar city (India), in November 1999. The extensive use of fireworks was found to be related to short-term variation in air quality. During the festival the concentration of SO2 was observed to be increased approximately 10-fold at few sites, whereas the concentrations of NO2, PM10 and TSP increased 2-3 times, compared to the data collected on a typical winter day in December 1999. The maximum NO2 concentration was observed a day after the festival. The diurnal pattern of the above pollutants showed a slight increase in the night. The levels of these pollutants observed during Diwali were found to be moderately high, which can be associated with serious health impacts.

Smith Richard Merrill, Dinh Vu-Dinh

Changes in Forced Expiratory Flow Due to Air Pollution From Fireworks

Environmental Research, 1975;9(3):321-331 

Department of Physiology, University of Hawaii, School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii

Spirometry in humans and air sampling have been performed during a brief but intense bout of air pollution due to exploding fireworks on New Year's Eve in Honolulu, Hawaii.

* * *

  the poisonous chemical mix discharged by fireworks becomes more and more a question of life or death for an increasing number of asthma patients and/or persons with multiple chemicals sensitivity, one must know a few facts about these diseases and about breathing.

The Lung

Ø      Volume of the lung of an adult is about six litres

Ø      Volume of one normal breath is half a litre

Ø      An adult breathes about twelve to fifteen times per minute

Ø      After breathing out, there remains at least 1 ½ litre of air in the lung in order for the lung to continue being active

Ø      An adult breathes approximately 15'000 litres of air daily; it is inevitable that by doing so also gases and particles are transported via mouth, nose, bronchial tube, bronchia, bronchioles and lung vescicles and are accumulated or deposited there

Ø      Lung suface is larger than 100 m²  

Ø      No other organ of the human body is so closely related to the environment. Many lung diseases are directly due to or depend entirely on environmental factors.

Ø      The lung filters the same quantity of air per day as a hot-air-balloon needs to be filled.

How does oxygen enter the body? And what happens then?

The oxygen arrives deep in the lung through nose, larynx and the large bronchi. In the alveoli the oxygen enters the blood which transports it to the coloring material of the red blood corpuscles. These  carry the oxygen further to the tiny capillaries from where it finally arrives at the end-consumer, the cells.

If our air contains poisonous chemicals or excessive particles and dust, we inhale them automatically. Thus each breath results in soiling our system in and outside. Our respiratory organs and our skin become irritated and through the lung the poisons enter the blood and finally our internal body.

Asthma is

à    one of the world most frequent diseases of the respiratory system

à    one of the world most long-term diseases

à    ranks among the most frequent chronic children diseases

à    a global health problem

What happens with asthma?

Asthma is an inflammation of the bronchial mucous membrane which it narrowst in three ways:

-         the inflamed mucous membrane starts swelling

-         it increases the slimy mucous and

-         the surrounding muscles get cramped

Imagine you would have asthma...

Hold your nose for two minutes and breathe during this time through a straw.  

Who ever inflated a balloon, knows how strenous this can be. After the fifth balloon one needs to recover one's breath. But such a recovery is often not possible for asthma patients. Those with severe  asthma exhale continuously as if they were blowing balloons on and on. Healthy people can hardly imagine how exhausting this is for the body.

Affected by asthma are in 

-          Switzerland: about 500'000 people; about 10% of all children (around 100'000), 8'000 per year become asthmatic + 7% are adults (1); more than ¼ of the entire population have difficulties in breathing when under heavy physical efforts

-          Germany: 4 to 5 million or about 5% of all adults and up to 10% of children (2); since 1994 the number of boys with breathing problems rose to around 13%, that o girls to around 70% (3)

-          Great Britain: 10 million people; ¹/3 of all 13 to  14 years old (4). Physicians register 20'000 cases each week in Great Britain and Ireland.

-          Australia: ¼ of all children (5) 

-          America: 17.3 million (6), of it 5.3 million under 18 (7/8); the number of female asthmatics doubled between 1980 and 1998 (of 6.7 million) (9)

-          Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Scotland: up to 36% of children aged 13 to 14 (10) 

(1) Auskunft Lungenliga Schweiz März 2004 / Medienmitteilung der Lungenliga Schweiz zum Welt-Asthma-Tag vom 4. Mai 2004

(2) www.luft-zum-leben.de

(3) International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, ISAAC

(4) GINA, Global Initiative for Asthma, www.ginasthma.com 

(5) Peat et al., Medical Journal of Australia 1995, Vol. 153, pp. 22-26

(6) Action Against Asthma. A Strategic Plan for the Department of Health and Human Services. May 2000

(7) CDC, 1998

(8) Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics AANMA

(9) Action Against Asthma. A Strategic Plan for the Department of Health and Human Services. May 2000

(10) ISAAC-Studie, bekannteste und grösste Studie zu allergischen Erkrankungen im Kindesalter, die von 1992 bis 1996 in allen Erdteilen über 460'000 Kinder im Alter von 13 bis 14 Jahren untersucht hat

Epidemiologists fear that the number of asthma illnesses will increase in the next ten years by 25% (SONDE Info 27 September 2001).

The economical costs of asthma 

are enormous and comparable with the expenditures for AIDS or tuberculosis. In Switzerland alone total costs amount to approximately 1.125 billion Swiss francs. In America health costs for asthma alone amount to more than $9.8 trillion annually (American Lung Association, 1998).

Death due to asthma

People in good health consider asthma as an annoying but in the long run harmless disease.  That is a totally wrong calculation! Asthma belongs to the diseases with a possible deadly end.

Asthma mortality in

-          Switzerland: 200 to 300 people per year (1)

-          Germany: 5'000 to 6'000 persons per year à this means more than deaths caused by traffic!! (2)

-          Great Britain: 1'500 patients annually

-          America: more than 5'300 Tote deaths annually (3) and/or 15 persons each day; more than 10 million school days are lost annually because of asthma (4) and is therefore the main cause for lost school days (5). [In 2000 4'487 persons died of asthma of whom 223 were children under 18 years of age. (6)]

(1) Medienmitteilung der Lungenliga Schweiz zum Welt-Asthma-Tag vom 4. Mai 2004

(2) http://www.rp-online.de/public/article/nachrichten/wissenschaft/medizin/36540

(3) CDC, 1997

(4) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, 1997

(5) http://allergies.about.com/library/blaanma082702.htm

(6) "Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use, and Mortality. 2000-2001." National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One of the most well-known man dead of asthma is the South African heart surgeon and pioneer of heart transplantation, Christiaan Barnard. He died of an asthma attack at the pool of his hotel on vacation in Cyprus on 1.9.2001 at the age of 78.

The Israeli conductor, David Shallon, died shortly before his 50^th birthday in Tokyo of an asthma attack. http://www.nmz.de/nmz2/kiz/Forum1/HTML/000113.html

The following pollutants e.g. occur in large quantities in fireworks and are well-known to be damaging the respiratory system and the lung:

Sulfur dioxide   

Fine dust (PM10)        

Barium

Lead                             

Mercury                         

Arsenic                                     

Dioxine and Furane       

Sulfur dioxide 

Ø       increased concentrations result in humans in irritation of the skin and the mucous membranes, headache, vomiting. Persons with respiratory diseases are particularly dangered! Asthmatics react strongly to rising concentrations; something similar applies to infants

Ø       damages plants; they can wither

Ø       has the following effects: turning red, swelling, increased secretion of the moist mucous membranes of the eyes and of upper part of the breathing system. In extreme cases cells perish (cell necrosis)

Fine Dust (PM10)

Ø       Fireworks smoke consists mainly of lung-entering poisonous fine dust and is dangerous not only to diseased but also to healthy persons!

Ø       PM10 ("Particulate matter smaller than 10 microns") are fine particles which are smaller than 10 micrometers (µm).

Ø       can deposit and transport irritating and toxic substances; particles transported to the alveoli can also be absorbed by the blood and distribted in the organism

Ø       With heavy PM10 charge we inhale millions of fine particles with each breath. Larger particles (5-10µm) are already filtered in nose and throat; smaller particles (3-5µm) arrive in the bronchial tube, the bronchi (2-3µm), the bronchioles (1-2µm) and in the alveoli (0.1-1µm) - and finally in the blood circulation! These particles can no longer be coughed up and as deposits lead in the long term to inflammations particularly with asthmatics, but also with healthy people although they may not notice an irritation.

Ø       The consequenses are: cough, increased infection of the upper and lower respiratory system, bronchitis, difficulty in breathing and also asthma attacks, colds, diseases of the heart and circulation system, cancer of the lung, etc.

Barium

Ø       can <<damage the respiratory system (...) and cause high blood pressure and lung diseases>> (in accordance with a BUWAL study of 1999)

Lead

Ø       can arrive via the lung in the blood circulation and thus damage the nervous system and the brain

Ø       in the smallest concentrations already, plant cells can wither; cannot be disintegrated biologically

* * *

of the American Lung Association of Hawaii (ALAH):

Background

Many people complained about the dense fog of fireworks-smoke of Silvester 1998/New Year 1999.

Because of the millennium celebration, a lot of people are anticipating this will be the biggest or worst fireworks situation ever.

In Hawaii more than 15% of the population – that means about 200,000 people - suffer from lung ailments; of that number 46,000 suffer from asthma. Hawaii has the highest mortality rate per capita in the nation for asthma sufferers.

Here is tangible evidence of one aspect of the damage done by fireworks. People are suffering because they have trouble breathing. In addition, fireworks injure people who use them and are a major fire hazard.

Project 'Safe Haven'

1999 the American Lung Association of Hawaii (ALAH) startet its 'Save Haven 2000' pilot project to give people with conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and emphysema a refuge from the smoke of fireworks.

While most of America sets off fireworks on the Fourth of July, in Hawaii most fireworks will be set off during New Year's celebrations.

The plan is to encourage movie theaters to stay open until the smoke clears. They are the most desirable venues because they are enclosed and air-conditioned, and have entertainment, food, restrooms, comfortable seating and parking. While there is a question as to whether the air-conditioning and filter systems can keep all the smoke from entering the theaters, it's better than not being in a clean-air venue at all and being with all the fireworks outside.

Some outdoor areas won't be affected by smoke and also are safe havens: e.g. campsites, where fireworks are illegal on the property.

A list of smoke-free environments for New Year's Eve

Private organisations collaborated with the ALAH to offer safe havens to the people who need shelter of the noxious cloud of fireworks smoke. In the meantime, a list exists of safe havens: movie theaters, malls and other such air-conditioned spaces, but also campsites around the island.

In December 2000, an asthma/allergy specialist along with a pharmacist, respiratory therapist and technical specialists has given advice and an interactive educational program was been set up at two shopping centers to help those with respiratory ailments. There were conducted asthma screenings, discussed inhalers and nebulizers and how to use respirator masks to cope with the fireworks smoke.

The ALAH will offer free masks to those who need them.

This solution won't work for everyone

Sure, 'Safe Haven' is not a solution for all people with lung ailments. Elderly and/or the infirm are not mobile enough to escape to the offered safe places. These housebound people will have - like all the times before - to stay inside their houses/apartments during the heaviest fireworks celebrations, tape up the windows, let the air conditioner or air purifier run and pray that the smoke of fireworks will not get into their rooms.

Newspaper articles about the project 'Safe Haven':

American Lung Association of Hawaii (ALAH) New Year's Eve program "Safe Haven": http://www.ala-hawaii.org/safehaven.asp

"Fireworks leave them breathless", 19.4.1999: http://starbulletin.com/1999/04/19/editorial/chang.html

"Project breath of fresh air", 5.11.1999: http://starbulletin.com/1999/11/05/news/story10.html

"Preparing for worst in Jan. 1 fireworks" (The issue: People with breathing problems are looking for refuge from New Year's fireworks. Our view: The use of fireworks has reached unacceptable proportions and must be banned.), 8.11.1999: http://starbulletin.com/1999/11/08/editorial/editorials.html

"Safe Havens' to offer relief from fireworks. Movie theaters and campsites welcome folks with lung ailments for a safer New Year's Eve", 23.12.1999: http://starbulletin.com/1999/12/23/news/story6.html

"Fireworks: Hawaii looks like a war zone on New Year's Eve2, 31.12.1999: http://www.hannibal.net/stories/123199/fea_1230990021.html            

"Honolulu's big bang; Take a deep breath or head for cover when fireworks blast on New Year's", 6.12.1999: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/1999/Dec/06/localnews3.html

"Save Haven: respiratory project receives good response", 1.1.2000: http://starbulletin.com/2000/01/01/news/story6.html

'Safe Havens' offer smoke-free respite on New Year's Eve", 9.12.2000: http://starbulletin.com/2000/12/09/news/story11.html

"Clearing the Air", 13.12.2000: http://starbulletin.com/2000/12/13/features/stuffs.html

"Escape to a smoke-free place on New Year's Eve", 21.12.2000: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/2000/Dec/21/1221islandlife16.html

"Oahu braces for smoky New Year – Businesses Provide 'Safe Havens'", 28.12.2000:

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/217268/detail.html

"Group urges caution in New Year's smoke. The American Lung Association offers tips for surviving the night.", 30.12.2001: http://starbulletin.com/2001/12/30/news/story4.html

"Fireworks sales expected to be lower for New Year's. Fewer retailers have obtained licenses, and fewer people are expected to buy them", 26.12.2002: http://starbulletin.com/2002/12/26/news/story3.html

* * *

à Another 'Safe Haven'

Asthma sufferers find 'Safe Haven' on New Year's Eve

This past New Year's Eve, the medical center's ground floor conference rooms were the site of a 'Safe Haven', similar to the Safe Haven program on Oahu. Hilo Medical Center provided an enclosed area as a respite from celebratory fireworks for those suffering from asthma or other respiratory conditions. 31.12.2001/1.1.2002

http://www.hhsc.org/Newsletterarchive/Winter%20IOK/IkeOlaKino_page2.htm

* * *

The recommends – especially for people with chronic breathing problems, such as asthma, bronchitits or emphysema – the following precautions to decrease problems because of fireworks smoke on New Year's Eve:

Ø      Drink plenty (especially warm beverages) to loosen mucus and help you cough.

Ø      Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and use an air conditioner or air purifier with a good filter during the heaviest fireworks celebrations.

Ø      Wear a paper or gauze mask to decrease smoke inhalation unless it interferes with regular breathing.

* * *

about "fireworks and asthma":

"Close windows vs firecrackers"

Philippines. Exposure to firecrackers and exposure to ashfall from an exploding volcano have almost the same hazardous effects, which is why health officials have advised the people to close the windows of their houses when firecrackers are set off during the holidays revelries. National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag advised residents to keep their windows closed especially during Christmas and New Year's Eves, when many fireworks are lighted at the height of revelries. "Fireworks are like ash fall in the sense that they both pose threats to our respiratory systems. They may cause asthma and aggravate other respiratory problems. So those with asthma must keep their medication handy," Tayag said in an interview.

He said people with asthma should wear masks as protection against the pollution as air-conditioners and ionizer machines may not be enough to keep the particles from entering the house.

Source: "Health exec advises: Close windows vs firecrackers", 24.12.2009, http://www9.gmanews.tv/story/180115/health-exec-advises-close-windows-vs-firecrackers

"The Provincial Health Office warns the public of the effects of firecrackers"

San Jose, Antique/Philippines. The Provincial Health Office issued a warning to the public on the ill effects of fire crackers that aside from being burnt, injured or disabled it can also pose serious respiratory problem like asthma and other complications if excessive smoke from firecrackers are inhaled. …

Source: "PHO warns the public of the effects of firecrackers", 24.12.2009, http://www.thenewstoday.info/2009/12/24/pho.warns.the.public.of.the.effects.of.firecrackers.html

News Release "Neighborhood fireworks contribute to poor air quality" by Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) supports Governor Jon Huntsman's ban on personal fireworks this Pioneer Day (24.7.), not only because of wildland fire dangers but also because fireworks pump fine-particle pollution in the air, prompting an unhealthy spike in air pollution that make it difficult for people to breathe.

Short-term exposures to the particle pollution can aggravate asthma attacks and lung disease. In people with heart disease, short-term exposures have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias. 17.7.2007

http://www.deq.utah.gov/News/2007/071707_Neighborhood_Fireworks_Contribute_to_Poor_Air_Quality.htm

"Fireworks" by Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Air Quality (DAQ)

The Division on Air Quality would like to help Utah residents celebrate these important days (Fourth of July and Pioneer Day 24.7.) safely by reminding everyone of the potential for high concentrations of smoke associated with fireworks displays. This smoke is largely particulate matter (PM). In prior years, DAQ has monitored extremely high concentrations of both PM10 and PM2.5 associated with fireworks displays. … Those most affected are the young, the elderly, and those sensitive individuals with respiratory conditions.

Short-term exposures to PM (hours or days) can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. In people with heart disease, short-term exposures have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias. June 2007

http://www.airquality.utah.gov/fireworks.htm

"One bad day a year is enough to give Oahu air quality a black eye. New Year's Eve results in a grade of 'D'" by the American lung Association of Hawaii

Sterling Yee, president of the American Lung Association of Hawaii (ALAH), said the high particulate pollution on New Year's Eve is more than just a black mark on Hawaii's reputation; it's also a danger to the tens of thousands of children and adults who suffer from lung-related disease.

"More than 150,000 Hawaii residents are afflicted with one or more of these diseases – pediatric and adult asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema," Yee said. "Each of them is potentially at risk from particulate pollution, and the American Lung Association of Hawaii therefore continues to seek restrictions on the excessive use of fireworks at New Year's."

Yee said that the ALAH is engaged in attempts to curtail the annual New Year's fireworks pollution because of the threat it poses to public health. 1.5.2007

http://www.ala-hawaii.org/_library/documents/air%20quality/sota%202007%20release%20%20final.pdf

"Hold your breath, there is poison in the air" by Avishek G Dastidar

Studies on environment and health have repeatedly pointed out that firecrackers burst on Divali spell doom for the community's health.

A study by NGO Toxics Link has found significant quantity of poisonous heavy metals like lead and cadmium in the composition of firecrackers. The fumes contain oxides of sulphur, phosphorous, nitrogen and carbon, which are highly harmful, it says. "The oxides come into contact with moisture while passing from nostrils to the lungs and form acids, which cause immense damage to the body," says Ravi Agarwal, director, Toxics Link. No wonder, cases of asthma nd bronchitis rise by 35 per cent during this season, says Dr. Gupta.

There are a variety of other problems (in relationship to fireworks), which, perhaps, go unnoticed. "Firecrackers during Diwali can act as a source of irritation and prolonged exposure may aggravate certain psychiatric conditions as well," says Dr Rajesh Sagar, associate professor, department of psychiatry, AIIMS. Women in later stages of pregnancy should also be careful. A day's exposure to Diwali din can harm the foetus. "The list of health hazards is virtually endless. People should ask themselves if bursting crackers is worth the price ones health has to pay even long after Diwali is over," says Dr Deka. 16.10.2006

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/crackers/index.shtml

"Do you enjoy Diwali with firecrackers?"

Noise pollution is tackled but not air pollution, say asthma patients. Asthma patients want ban on polluting crackers. During Diwali, smoke from firecrackers can be very painful for asthma patients. Hospitals do see a hike in asthma patients during this time. Most patients leave the city during the festival. Bursting of firecrackers increase level of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide and suspended particulate matter.

While the entire nation looks forward to Diwali as a celebration of life, 10 laks asthma and bronchitis patients in Mumbai begin readying their life savers – inhalers, nebulisers or whatever gives them the breath of life.

Now for the first time, the Asthma and Bronchitis Association of India (ABAI) has written a letter to the chief minister, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the commissioner of police asking them to consider a ban on crackers emitting excessive smoke.

(This article was posted 16.10.2006 under

http://www.sulekha.com/groups/postdisplay.aspx?cid=707853&forumid=756919, but is perhaps originally from www.mumbaimirror.com?)

"Breath-taking Fireworks – in More Ways than One!" By Bob Maddox, air and Radiation Management Administration, 

Although somewhat breath-taking visually, holiday fireworks do contain health-harming chemical compounds. Independence Day fireworks release particles that create a temporary health threat to those with sensitive respiratory systems. Except for people who have asthma, or are very sensitive to chemicals, few of us are aware that lighting fireworks can pose respiratory harm. July 2006 http://www.mde.state.md.us/ResearchCenter/Publications/General/eMDE/vol2no3/fireworks.asp

"Yenshui festival threatens air quality, experts warn"

Yenshui/Taiwan fireworks festival, 12.2.2006: environmental officials cautioned yesterday those who suffer from asthma or allergies and senior citizens and children to avoid visiting the small town in southern county of Tainan today when massive fireworks will set off there to celebrate the traditional Lantern Festival. EPA officials (Environmental Protection Administration) also reminded festival visitors to equip themselves with surgical masks as the medical-grade 'N95' mask, because debris can pass through normal gauze masks.

Yenshui festival's peak in Feb 2004: particulate matter (PM) density was recorded at 326.5mg per square meter. http://www.etaiwannews.com/showPage.php?setupFile=showcontent.xml&menu_item_id=MI-1123667366&did=d_1139720464_2238_414BE33EED019052A1518579BEC299C6D43B9894_40&area=taiwan&area_code=00000

"Hawaii New Year's Fireworks Tradition is Dangerous"

2004 nearly 9,600 people in the nation went to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of fireworks injuries, according to Straub Hospital. The hospital's Dr. Jeffrey Kam, of the allergy and immunology department, said nearly 79,000 asthma patients in the islands – including 25,000 children – suffer every New Year's because of the related smoke. 30.12.2005 http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2005/12/30/63620.htm  

"Many seek New Year safety gear. Straub Clinic passes out free respirator masks for those sensitive to smoke"

More than 300 people snatched up the masks yesterday for themselves or loved ones.

The program's founder and chief of Straub's allergy and immunology department, Dr. Jeffrey Kam, said nearly 79,000 asthma patients in the islands – including 25,000 children – suffer every New Year's thanks to fireworks smoke.

<<For them the fireworks smell is almost like breathing Clorox bleach,>> Dr. Kam said. <<We want to have fun, yet we forgot the people who have breathing difficulties.>> 30.12.2005

http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/30/news/story07.html

"Hawaii's air quality earns a 'D' due to New Year's fireworks orgy. Lung Association's 'Safe Haven' Program offers advice, respite from the worst air pollution of the year."

For 364 days of the year, Hawaii's air is virtually free of particulate pollution thanks to a low industrial base and thousands of miles of fresh air surrounding the state. But on that other day, residents breathe a deadly mix of pollutants. Fireworks on New Year's Eve explode so much junk into the air that the American Lung Association (ALA) awards Hawaii a grade of 'D' for air particle pollution for the entire year. 

<<It's like someone who drives wonderfully 364 days a year but smashes the car every New Year's eve,>> says Sterling Yee, president of the ALAH. He stressed that Hawaii's annual New Year's Eve fireworks celebration is a serious public health concern. The ALA would not give the state a 'D' for the entire year if it were otherwise. 28.12.2005

American Lung Association of Hawaii, 

http://www.ala-hawaii.org/_library/documents/air%20quality/state%20of%20the%20air%20press%20release%20122805.pdf

Safety Systems Hawaii, Inc., December 2005: "Safety Awareness Sheet: A Breathless New Years Display"

… The greatest health threat of fireworks is respiratory damage. … Everyone is at some risk to respiratory damage… Short-term, high level fine dust emissions lead to respiratory tract complaints such as chronic coughing, expectoration, and shortness of breath. They can also cause bronchitis and asthma attacks, heart arrhythmia, job absences, increased intake of medication for asthmatics, emergency medical visits, and ...

http://www.safetysystemshawaii.com/pdf/fireworks_respiratory.pdf oder http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:eF7CQqw3No8J:www.safetysystemshawaii.com/pdf/fireworks_respiratory.pdf+american+lung+association+of+Hawaii+fireworks+fine+dust&hl=de&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=ch 

"Enjoy a safe Diwali" by Doctor NDTV

Fire crackers could be a causative factor leading to numerous health hazards. The harmful chemicals emitted through smoke are known to cause asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. 27.10.2005

http://www.doctorndtv.com/feature/detailarchivefeature.asp?id=158

You can read the following on the site of the Environmental Health Houston.org: 

<<Children who live or attend school near freeways or major streets have higher rates of allergies, cough, and respiratory symptoms. Emissions from industry, cars, trucks, and also offroad vehicles and to a lesser extent those from barbecues, fireworks, restaurants, garden equipment, and agricultural fires can aggravate asthma.>> 7.7.2004

http://envirohealthhouston.org/concerns/asthma.htm  

"Fire officials still want total ban on fireworks"

Hawai. In Waipahu and Pearl city the smoke was so thick, Douglas Yee, past president and board member for the American Lung Association, had difficulty seeing the tail lights on the car in front of him.

In Honolulu, the association gave away 300 masks to help people breathe. 5.1.2004

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jan/05/ln/ln01a.html  

"O'ahu getting ready for a big New Year's bang"

…Dr. Jeffrey Kam, an asthma and allergy specialist with Straub Clinic and Hospital, said he passed out more than 2,000 filter masks last Saturday at Ala Moana Center. 

"People with respiratory problems may suffer increased breathing difficulty when exposed to the irritant effects of firework smoke," Kam said.

Fireworks smoke contains a cocktail of chemicals, some of them toxic. The major ingredients, sulfur and carbon, are mixed with color-creating compounds like barium, lithium, and strontium, none of which are easy on the lungs.

The American Lung Association Hawai'i chapter recognizes the problem and is offering free filter maks, similar to the ones used by painters…

"It's sort of like seeing a freight train coming," said Douglas Yee, past American Lung Association president and a current volunteer. "We have this problem that every year the city disappears under a cloud of smoke." 31.12.2003

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Dec/31/ln/ln01a.html  

"Have a blast the environment-friendly way"

The bursting of fireworks had a direct impact on the suspended particulate matter (SPM) values, which recorded an increase of three times the actual levels on Diwali nights.

Doctors inform that high SPM values lead to greater risk of respiratory disorders and ailments such as cancer, bronchitis, asthma, etc. 26.10.2003

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=251799

"This Diwali make more light than sound"

Dr. Sharma an ENT specialist: "The higher level of suspended particles due to bursting of crackers during Diwali causes eye, throat and nose problems. Although many of us do not feel the immediate impact, these problems could develop into serios health hazards." Agrees Dr. Talwar, pulmonary specialist with Metro Hospitals, "Indeed, for millions of those suffering from asthma, Diwali is not a festival of light and gaiety, but that of smoke, coughing and wheezing. They need to hold on their inhalers which can help them breathe easier!" 26.10.2003

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=251798  

"This will take your breath away"

New Delhi: For those of you with a deeper interest in what you are currently breathing, here's the menu: twice the safe limit for Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – causes respiratory allergies; four times the safe limit for suspended particulate matter; five times the safe limit for respiratory suspended particulate matter; high amounts of sulphur dioxide and the dust trapped in the haze.

After Diwali, the fireworks will add carbon monoxide, oxides of sulphur, phosphorous and nitrogen. These can cause respiratory allergy, dizziness, abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, etc. 26.10.2003

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=251061

"Asthmatics brace themselves for D-Day"

Mumbai. Experts estimate that the level of pollutants, especially suspended particulate matter (SPM), may double during the Divali holidays. "The sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide content could go up by 30 to 40% during these days since crackers are largely made of sulphur and phosphorus," says Rakes Kumar, a scientist at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.

While exact data is not available, it is clear that for the million-odd citizens suffering from asthma and chronic respiratory problems in Mumbai, Divali is a time to pull out the inhalers and extra medicines.

Already, chest specialist Pramod Niphadkar is seeing extra patients who've come for their emergency 'Divali dose'.

Dr Niphadkar, who is also the president of the Asthma and Bronchitis Association of  India, says there is a 30% rise in the number of patients he sees during this time.

Rohini Chowgule, chest specialist and executive director of the Indian Institute of Environment Science at Kasturba Hospital, says she sees 50% more patients, and these are serious patients.

"A lot of our old patients who have been cured come back at about this time," she says. According to her, while 17% of Mumbaikars suffer from asthma, 27% are vulnerable to developing the illness. 24.10.2003

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=249512

"What you burn is what you breathe!"

Before you burst crackers, take a peep into the contents and its resultant health hazard. It’s just a synopsis… the details are even worse.

High SPM exposure: Headache and reduced mental acuity.

Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide: Respiratory allergies like asthma

High decibel sound: Restlessness, anger, anxiety, allergic bronchitis, acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis

Copper: Irritation in the respiratory tract

Cadmium: Can damage kidneys, cause anaemia and increase blood pressure

Lead: After ingestion can affects central nervous system, can cause cancer of lungs and kidneys, young children can suffer mental retardation and semi-permanent brain damage by exposure

Zinc: Human skin irritant and effects pulmonary system. Large amounts taken by mouth may produce nausea, vomiting. 20.10.2003

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=241635  

"Fireworks pose a threat for asthmatic children"

Researchers have found that fireworks can prove to be a health threat for children suffering from asthma. The breathing in of the smoke and burned particulate of the fireworks can trigger an asthma attack especially in children with severe asthma.

Increased number of severe asthma attacks has been reported in the emergency section of many hospitals especially around festivals like Diwali.

Researchers have also observed that some patients presented with respiratory distress or heart failure after exposure to fireworks. Hence experts recommended that asthma patients should be very careful on such festive occasions and try to avoid using fireworks or seeing a firework display. 27.9.2003

http://www.bestonhealth.org/articles/container.asp?lpath=/articles/updates/asthma/2003/october/update1.asp

"Fireworks sales expected to be lower for New Year's – Fewer retailers have obtained licenses, and fewer people are expected to buy them"

"That's good news (that fireworks sales expected to be lower for New Year's) to senior citizens, young children and lung disease sufferers – those most susceptible to respiratory problems or serious injury because of fireworks smoke", said Gregg Kishaba, the American Lung Association of Hawaii's director of asthma education…The association is offering free masks and coordinating kamaaina rates at 13 hotels for those most at risk for breathing problems because of fireworks smoke... Warren Tamamoto, a pulmonary physician at Kaiser Permanente, said exposure to fireworks smoke can exacerbate symptoms of everything from light asthma to emphysema. 26.12.2002

http://starbulletin.com/2002/12/26/news/story3.html  

"And now, even sparklers might be banned"

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board and Kolkata Police have declared some of the seemingly harmless firecrackers as potential air polluters.

The WBPCB officials and environmentalists have pointed out that the gas produced by a saap baaji or a rangmashal is more dangerous than crackers. "Firecrackers usually contain compounds of sulpher and phosphorous. Rangmashal, saap baaji etc. contain these and also compounds of aluminium and mercury, which are very dangerous for health. These produce high chemical reaction and on inhalation effects the respiratory tracks," said Nirmalya Banerjee, environmentalist and member of the Loss Prevention Association of India. "Sometimes the effects are felt after five or ten years too," he added. 31.10.2002

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=26803961

"Enjoying a safe Diwali"

Fire crackers could be a causative factor leading to numerous health hazards. Besides, they enhance noise and air pollution levels. The harmful chemicals emitted through smoke are known to cause asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. Moreover, the noise and dazzling light could cause optical as well as ENT-related problems. The blasting sounds caused by fire crackers which send the decibel levels soaring instantaneously could cause permanent or temporary impairment to the ear drums. All this is known to affect children, pregnant women, asthmatics and senior citizens muche more than the rest of the population.

Which age group is the most affected?

An infant below one year of age is most vulnerable as the structures of the ear are very delicate. Besides, senior citizens are also quite vulnerable as the degenerative process brought on by ageing has already set in. Moreover, people with a heart condition, hypertension or hypotension and asthma could be faces with problems that could manifest as fatigue, headaches, irritability etc. 31.10.2002

http://www.doctorndtv.com/feature/detailarchivefeature.asp?id=81  

"Fire in the Sky: A Global Plague – The Shots Heard 'Round the World" by Gar Smith

In Hawai'i, the state Health Department conducted air samples during the New Year's fireworks displays and reported that the pyrotechnics produced "as much as ten times as much smoke as was recorded the previous year." Hospitals were flooded with residents suffering from respiratory problems, and Health Department Director Bruce Anderson condemned fireworks as "a serious health concern".

The HONOLULU ADVERTISER quoted a Health Department warning that fine-particle pollutants from firworks "are especially dangerous because they penetrate deeply into the lungs, aggravating heart and lung conditions, changing the body's normal defenses against inhaled material and damaging lung tissue". Health problems stemming from even short-term exposures were found to "last two to three weeks". Summer 2002

http://www.earthisland.org/eijournal/new_articles.cfm?articleID=581&journalID=64

"New Year'fireworks sully isle air"

Article about airborne particulates per cubic meter.

State Department of Health, 4.1.2002           

http://starbulletin.com/2002/01/04/news/story9.html  

"Screaming blue murder about pollution?" 

"Allergic bronchitis, acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and common cold increase during this time," reports consultant chest physician and pulmonologist, Dr Narendra B Rawal, whose patient-number doubles during Diwali. He adds to this ghastly picture, "Fireworks is one of the provoking factors for childhood bronchial asthma." 5.11.2001

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=1527227756

"Fireworks Can Trigger Asthma Attacks" by statenews.org, The Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau 

"…People with asthma often find fireworks can trigger an attack. In an interview with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles, one Columbus area allergist says fireworks can be downright dangerous. Dr. Don McNeal says even smaller fireworks like sparklers can bring on an asthma attack…" 2.7.2001

You can also hear a part of the radiointerview under http://statenews.org/news/2001/june/opr-070201-02.html (Jo Ingles reports, 2:24)

"Fireworks and Asthma: Deadly Combo"

During the summer, parents worry about children and fireworks. Countless numbers of children are injured each year while playing with fireworks, many of them experiencing severe burns. However, parents now have another cause for concern, as more evidence has surfaced regarding asthmatic children and fireworks.

According to the December issue of the Annals of Allergy, fumes from fireworks can aggravate pediatric asthma. In the article, Dr. Jack M. Becker of Temple University detailed two instances of asthmatic children who had played with fjreworks and the experienced life-threatening asthma attacks.

A thirteen-year-old boy spent three days in an intensive care unit receiving oxygen and asthma drugs after a fireworks display. In another incident, a nine-year-old girl attending a Fourth of July picnic, died after an asthma attack brought on by exposure to fumes from a sparkler. Researchers note that many more cases likely exist, and they caution parents of asthmatic children to exercise caution during fireworks celebrations. 22.6.2001

http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/Article=446  

On the homepage of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) you find under the title "Fireworks may cause fatal asthma attacks" (Academy News: April 2001, EDUCATION, Clinical Research News http://www.aaaai.org/members/academynews/2001/04/clinical_research_news.stm) among other things also the article "Fatal and near-fatal asthma in children exposed to fireworks." of Becker JM, Iskandrian S, Conkling J, Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Dec 2000, 85(6 Pt 1) p512-513: <<Inhalation of commbustion products produced by fireworks may pose a serious health threat to children with asthma, despite the more common concerns about firework-related burns and other injuries. Dr. Jack M. Becker of Temple University Children's Medical Center in Philadelphia and colleagues report on two cases of firework-associated exacerbations in asthmatic children.

Researchers note that there have been other cases of respiratory distress associated with fireworks and that asthmatics should be very careful when using them or observing any displays.>>  

"Fireworks can spell death for asthmatic children" by Medindia Health News

… But apart from the phenomenal cost that goes into fireworks we fail to realize that fireworks are death sentences for the severely asthmatic people and the worst affected are children who literally choke to death during these ironically happy occasions. Almost all major hospitals across the country report an increase in number of cases coming into their emergency rooms with acute respiratory failure during these festivals… The death rate is appalling during these festive times going up nearly thrice in some belts. Breathlessness was the common feature in all cases. Some presented with status asthmaticus, severe respiratory distress and cardiac failure. January 14, 2001

http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?t=gn&x=114  

"Festival of lights without fireworks"

India is celebrating the most important festival in the Hindu calendar, Diwali, also known as the Festival of Light. This year a campaign to stop the use of firecrackers has intensified. Many schoolchildren in Delhi have taken part in a vigorous public campaign, marching in rallies, displaying campaign posters and making public pledges not to buy crackers. Campaigners say firecrackers worsen existing air pollution by six to ten times. People with asthma and heart diseases are amongst those who suffer as a result. 25.10.2000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/990606.stm

"DOH backing bill to regulate fireworks" by Hawaii Department of Health DOH Communications Office, Press Releases

"Inhalation of smoke and hazards generated by fireworks use cause serious health problems for thousands in our community, particularly those suffering from asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory or heart conditions", notes Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson. "In many cases it causes serious pain and discomfort." 16.2.2000  

http://www.hawaii.gov/doh/about/press/2000/00-11fire.html

"Oahu New Year's air dangerously polluted"

Honolulu Emergency Services workers reported that Oahu averaged a fireworks injury or respiratory distress case every 34 minutes New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. 8.1.2000

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/2000/Jan/08/localnews4.html

"What a blast! Fireworks big bang – One legislator calls it ammunition on his position"

…About 10 p.m., the theatre was cleared after the fire alarm went off, state Sen. Dal Kawamoto said. "The (fireworks) smoke outside went into the vents. It set off the alarm." 1.1.2000

http://starbulletin.com/2000/01/01/news/story6.html

"Poll: 55% majority favors fireworks ban – Those most in favor are in the 60-plus age group, while young adults, 18-29, are the most opposed."

...When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, Joe Lew, a University of Hawaii English literature professor, likely will be hunkered down in his sixth-floor Waikiki apartment trying to keep out the New Year's Eve fireworks smoke. "I will probably close up my apartment as tightly as possible and run the air conditioner and air filter," Lew said. "I know a lot of people with asthma who are severely affected, and I have allergies that are set off." 

(You can see in this article the result of the poll.) 20.12.1999

http://starbulletin.com/1999/12/20/news/story1.html  

"No happy Diwali for asthma patients"

… Dr Pramod Niphadkar, asthma consultant, said fire crackers when burnt release pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, managanese and even cadmium, which damage the respiratory tract. For asthma patients, who already have hyperactive airways, these pollutants further irritate the bronchial mucosa and swell up the inner linings of the respiratory tract. This causes spasms in the patients, triggering off asthma attacks, informed Dr Niphadkar. In some cases, when the air becomes thick with smoke, patients are unable to breathe on their own and may even have to be hospitalised.

The Asthma and Bronchitis Association of India has been trying to create awareness that one person's idea of fun could well be an asthma patient's nightmare. 6.11.1999, http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19991106/ige06083.html  

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Letters to the Editor, (die Leserbriefe sind zum Teil von Menschen verfasst, die selber an Asthma leiden)

Pollution on Diwali worsens asthma: <<Firecrackers contain 75% potassium nitrate, 15% carbon and 10% sulphur. When potassium nitrate, which works as a strong oxidising agent, burns along with carbon and sulphur it releases noxious gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. "These irritate the delicate linings of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs and lead to asthma attacks,'' says Dr Niphadkar, who receives 25% more asthmatic patients at his clinic during Diwali… "From October to February, we see at least 30 to 40% more cases of asthma, bronchitis and wheezing,'' says family physician Virsen Ruparel who runs a polyclinic at Colaba…>> (The Times of India Thursday 30 October 1997 By Sameera Khan) 

ENV3C62 Special topic

Additional Reference: Light blue touch paper and retire, Clark_H, ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT, 1997, Vol.31, No.17, pp.2893-2894.

http://www.uea.ac.uk/~e490/e3c62/firework.htm

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Although we have done our best to ensure the accuracy of the informations, it is of course possible that we could have made errors.