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Last updated
March 21, 2026

Fireworks

Research shows that fireworks lead to spikes in particulate matter and release potentially toxic metals into the atmosphere, similar to wildfire smoke. These have been linked to respiratory and heart disease, low birth weight, neurological diseases, and early death.
  • Fireworks lead to a spike in particulate matter and release potentially toxic metals into the atmosphere that are used for the color. This is the same type of pollution caused by wildfire smoke. Linked to “ respiratory and heart disease, low birth weight, neurological diseases, and even early death” (Haupt, 2024)
  • The study compared the toxicity of four different brake pad types: low metallic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic, and hybrid-ceramic. Non-asbestos organic pads were found to be the most toxic to human lung cells, even more so than diesel exhaust particles. (Keenan, 2025)‍
  • The particles emitted from these pads, especially from non-asbestos organic ones, caused inflammation and other markers of toxicity, raising concerns about the impact of brake dust on lung health (Keenan, 2025)

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