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Fireworks Produce High Levels of Toxic Particles

By Guest PostDecember 8, 2010Environment1 micrometer, aluminum, amusement park, arrhythmia, audrey smargiassi, bacteria, cardiovascular diseases, chlorine, composition, concentration, contaminants, downtown, emitted gases, every summer, explosions, fireworks, gas, health problems, heart attacks, heart troubles, international fireworks competition, ischemia, la ronde, manganese, marc averette, miami, micrometers, particles, potassium, respiratory problems, smoke, spectacular, titanium, toxic particles

Fireworks. Downtown Miami on July 4, 2007. Image credit: Marc Averette. Source: Wikipedia

Fireworks can be spectacular. However, the gas and smoke produced by the colorful explosions carry extremely high levels of toxic particles, according to a study by Audrey Smargiassi, a professor at the Université de Montreal Department of Environmental and Occupational Health.

Smargiassi conducted one of the first studies examining the composition of the emitted gases and the concentration of the particles. In addition, her study is unique as she collected her data below the fireworks display where spectators usually stand. Previous studies usually collected data from nearby rooftops.

The study was conducted in 2007 during nine separate shows presented at La Ronde amusement park where 5.7 million spectators attend an international fireworks competition every summer. (more…)

Hostile Environments Encourage Political Action In Immigrant Communities

A new study from North Carolina State University finds that anti-immigrant practices – such as anti-immigrant legislation or protests – are likely to backfire, and spur increased political action from immigrant communities. The study examined political activity in 52 metropolitan areas across the United States.

“U.S. Census data indicate that 60 percent of the foreign-born in the U.S. are not citizens,” says Dr. Kim Ebert, an assistant professor of sociology and co-author of a paper describing the research. “Non-citizens can’t vote, so we wanted to determine how they are participating in political life.” (more…)

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Fireworks Produce High Levels of Toxic Particles

Hostile Environments Encourage Political Action In Immigrant Communities