July has past, and the fireworks were strong!  While we have been on our air quality adventure in the Triboro EcoDistrict, some have asked what the impact of fireworks are on our air quality.  Don’t worry! It’s not all boom and gloom, there are some fireworks options that are better for the air quality than others! Learn more from this blog written by New Sun Rising Air Quality Interns, Anaïs Peterson and Noah Robinson!  

One of the most iconic parts of Fourth of July celebrations are the fireworks. The US has been using firework displays to celebrate independence since the birth of our nation. But has anyone ever stopped to think about just what is in those fireworks? Fireworks are great to watch but the ingredients of fireworks aren’t so much fun.

Fireworks are chemical reactions – that’s what makes the colors, noise, and what propels them into the air. Because fireworks are shot up into the air the chemicals that they are comprised off end up both in the air and raining back down into our soil and water. If you’ve ever watched a fireworks show and saw a large cloud of smoke after it ended then you’re familiar with what we’re talking about.

A study conducted from 1999-2013 found that the average concentration of fine particulate matter over a 24 hour period of time was 42 times higher over the Fourth compared to the surrounding days. Fine particulate matter is concerning because the particles are 20 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. In fact these particles are so small they can end up in your bloodstream. Of course correlation doesn’t equal causation but when fireworks were set off next to an air quality monitoring site in Utah, the PM concentrations rose 370%. People with asthma often feel the impact of these high PM concentrations first and it recommend that people who are affected by the smoke drink lots of water, watch from upwind of the fireworks, and keep inhalers close by.

Each color of firework is comprised of a different combinations of metals. These metals create beautiful colors but they can also cause problems to our health.

Blue- The blue color you see in fireworks is created using copper. On its own copper is not toxic but when combined with other compounds in fireworks dioxins are formed. Dioxins cause a number of adverse health effects and it is listed as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Red- Red fireworks are a result of strontium. Strontium is extremely reactive with air and water and can end up in the soil and groundwater after firework shows. At low levels strontium does not cause health problems but at high levels it can impair bone growth in children.

White- White fireworks utilize aluminum which is one of the metals most used by humans. At low concentrations it’s safe but at higher levels it can impact mental and physical performance.

Cadmium is also used in many different colors of fireworks. Cadmium is a known carcinogen and breathing in high levels of this metal can result in lung,stomach, and kidney damage.

While this certain isn’t good news about fireworks this doesn’t mean the firework shows need to end! The United States military is working on developing green technology for explosives which can easily be applied to fireworks. Scientists are also working on technology which launches fireworks into the sky without any smoke.The color choices of firework displays also have an impact on the pollution! Next time before purchasing fireworks check the image below with information on what metals are in each color and how they might affect you. A number of cities are also changing from fireworks to light shows which are both better for your health and the air quality and also don’t scare your dog!

New Sun Rising welcomes three dynamic summer interns to the team. Two will be supporting the Director of Sustainability, Zaheen Hussain, and his work surrounding Air-Quality and one supporting the Director of Culture + Fiscal Sponsorship, Daniel Stiker.

This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to expand organizational capacity around the Vibrant Communities Framework of Culture, Sustainability, and Opportunity while also gaining input from + contributing to the development of young professionals in the Pittsburgh region. Without further ado, may we introduce:

  Noah Robinson, Sustainability

Noah Robinson, 21, is one of the new air quality interns at New Sun Rising. He will be a senior in the fall at the University of Pittsburgh where he is studying Environmental Science. In his own words,

I have a huge passion for the environment and the outdoors simply because I grew up in the beautiful New England states. My family were huge outdoor adventurers when I was growing up. We would annually take trips to Acadia National park, kayak in the ocean, mountain bike through Maine’s forests, hike Maine’s mountains and relax on Lake Champlain in Vermont. When I moved to Pittsburgh for college, I immediately noticed the impact of pollution in the region. Learning more from my classes, I wanted to become involved in helping solve the problem and that is  why I chose to intern at New Sun Rising.

I think air quality is an important issue to discuss and solve because everyone deserves to breathe clean air. Poor air quality not only affects health but also the economy of the region. Clean air results in less hospital visits, better vegetation and a more attractive city for companies. Clean air is essential for living healthy and improving the economy. I would love to do as much as I can to help the Pittsburgh region improve its air quality.

His other hobbies include photograph and ultimate frisbee. His camera is the Sony RX100 M5 and he is partial to taking star photos of the night sky and notes that he usually has his camera on him to capture anything that catches his eye. He concludes,

I’m really excited about this opportunity to work with New Sun Rising and help with the air quality projects. If you ever see me around and want to learn how to throw a frisbee or just chat, don’t be afraid to ask. Thanks for reading!

  Anaïs Peterson, Sustainability

Anaïs Peterson, 20, will be a junior this fall at the University of Pittsburgh where she is majoring in Urban Studies. In the future, she hopes to attend law school in order to affect laws and policy. When her family moved to O’Hara Township from Chicago five years ago, the new environment made a lasting impression. She recounts:

  Adam Hoge, Culture

Adam Hoge, the new NSR Cultural Marketing Intern, is a senior at The University of Pittsburgh where he studies Marketing and Business Information Systems and this past semester, interned at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Having a network of passionate and driven people in his life, paired with his interest in art and design, led him to New Sun Rising. In his own words,

A job [internship] centered around culture was important to me because culture is an idea that is often overlooked, but affects how people in a community feel and interact. The positive experiences that one has within a community are directly correlated to the culture that the community thrives in. A good community culture, driven by the underlying values that make that community unique and special, can have an impact beyond that community; a wake that can benefit ourselves, our neighbors, our families, our city. It’s around this focus that I would like to contribute my efforts to New Sun Rising and the projects that it supports. 

In his free time, Adam enjoys drawing, painting, play soccer and basketball, snowboarding, and traveling.

10 ENTREPRENEURS have begun the 12-month LAUNCH STO-ROX INCUBATOR PROGRAM

The program began with the first of 12 monthly workshops on Tuesday, March 20th. The 10 selected participants, including social businesses, nonprofits, and community initiatives, will receive support to develop their ventures through monthly learning workshops with their peers, one-on-one mentoring, access to funding, professional services that include legal, accounting, branding, and marketing, and an end of year showcase to directly engage customers and community.

Jeb Feldman, Director of Economic Development at McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation, says “Launch Sto-Rox is enriching the living experience of our townspeople by helping them to realize their dreams. We’re excited to partner with New Sun Rising in nurturing this entrepreneurial opportunity for our residents.”  Program activities will be led by New Sun Rising and the Director of Community Engagement and Enterprise at Focus on Renewal, Lydia Morin. Ms. Morin observes that “there has been a disconnect between what the community needs and the people who want to start something to address those needs. Opportunities like this radiate hope and signal economic growth.”

The selection of Launch Sto-Rox participants was led by local stakeholders to reflect the community’s priorities for equitable development. Selection committee member and resident, Shallegra Moye, sees the program “as an opportunity to relight the spark of ingenuity while discovering local talent and strengthening community capacity.” The priorities for recruitment and selection were based on the results of a number of community surveys and conversations facilitated by New Sun Rising, Focus on Renewal, and McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation between 2016-17.

“It all spells progress for the Sto-Rox community” says Marlene Banks, Founder of Welcome to the Table and Focus on Renewal Board Member. “The dedication and perseverance of those who are willing to learn, work, and create jobs will secure a future for our next generation.”

Launch Sto-Rox is a Vibrant Communities program of New Sun Rising, held in partnership with the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation and Focus on Renewal through the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.

The Launch Sto-Rox Incubator cohort includes:

• McKees Rocks Incubator supports the development of small businesses and projects through co-working, office, and production space.
• Strong Ambitious Women motivates young women to develop self-esteem and a positive identity.
• Zellous Hope Project inspires hope for low-income men with barriers to seeking and obtaining employment.
• PittMovers provides moving assistance with a personal touch for clients within Allegheny County.
• Dub Yoga fuses power yoga and dub (instrumental reggae) for a unique energizing and restorative experience in a transformative setting.
• Digital Bridges closes the digital divide by using technology and digital literacy skills to decrease poverty and nurture strong social connections.
• Teen Studio Sto-Rox T is a branding, design, and printing shop planned and run by Sto-Rox teens.
• Reanimated in Pittsburgh creates beautiful works of art and functional pieces using upcycled and found materials.
• Peddler’s Paradise creates a unique space for artisans and craft makers to connect and sell their products.
• Gazette 2.0 provides crucial communication resources to connect and engage the community.

For more information, visit:

https://www.newsunrising.org/project/launch-sto-rox/