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Fireworks April 19, 2022 Page 6 At the national level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national ambient air quality standards for PM. In a 2015 study, Dian Seidel and Abigail Birnbaum (2015) found that hourly PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller) concentrations during the evening of July 4 and morning of July 5 are higher than on the two preceding and following days in July. The national average increase is largest (21 mg/m3) at 9-10 p.m. on July 4 and drops to zero by noon on July 5 (p. 197). This same study cites that PM levels in the South Coast Air Basin (which comprises all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties) are higher during this same period when compared to other sites that were included in their study. At the local level, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) monitors local air quality and regulates stationary sources of air pollution in the South Coast Air Basin. Data from South Coast AQMD's monitors have found that air quality in the South Coast Air Basin was substantially worse during the 2020 Fourth of July weekend than any year in the last decade. Based on video footage and the cancellation of most large public events, South Coast AQMD staff suspects that it is likely that a combination of increased use of safe and sane fireworks and stagnant air led to trapped air pollution that lingered for longer than usual. Overall average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the South Coast Air Basin were 70 percent higher than in previous years between 7 p.m. on July 4 to 7 a.m. on July 5. Monitors picked up an even greater increase in the maximum hourly measurements of PM2.5, with the highest concentrations detected at the Central Los Angeles, North Hollywood and Anaheim stations. Some instruments were found to have so much particulate matter residue on them that it resulted in readings so high the data could not be properly validated. Fireworks Used for Religious Celebrations While fireworks are commonly used to commemorate cultural celebrations, such as the Fourth of July in the United States, Fiestas Patrias in Hispanic America, Lunar New Year in East and Southeast Asian countries, the Lantern Festival and Spring Festival in China, and New Year's celebrations worldwide, they are sometimes used for religious celebrations. Examples of religious celebrations that typically are accompanied by the use of fireworks include Diwali in India and Taoism in China. Although the Santa Ana Municipal Code does not define "Exempt Fireworks," it is important to note that the California Health and Safety Code Section 12508 provides the following definition: "Exempt fireworks" means any special item containing pyrotechnic compositions which the State Fire Marshal, with the advice of the State Fire Advisory Board, has investigated and determined to be limited to industrial, commercial, agricultural use, or religious ceremonies when authorized by a permit granted by the authority having jurisdiction.