Welp, fireworks pollution is racist. Scientists have determined that the pollution from fireworks is so insipid that seeks out and targets people of color exclusively. This was in National Geographic, so it must be true, right? It’s unclear how the pollution from fireworks knows to bypass all of the white people but that’s how systemic racism works apparently.
National Geographic must have gotten a grant from the Everything is Racist Council because this was their contribution to the list:
Scientists found that vulnerable people and communities of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from firework celebrations https://t.co/L0FQgthTAK
— National Geographic (@NatGeo) July 4, 2021
And they’re damn serious:
Using crowdsourced data from home air quality monitors, scientists found that vulnerable people and communities of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from firework celebrations.
Is there anything more scientific than crowdsourced data?
It’s no secret that fireworks can cause some serious air pollution, in the United States as well as in other countries where holiday displays are common, like China and India. But not everyone is equally at risk from the noxious particles that suffuse the sky during our pyrotechnic light shows. In California, for example, vulnerable populations are more exposed to fireworks pollution on the Fourth of July.
That’s according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on air pollution exposure across the state due to Independence Day fireworks. At its peak, the smoke from these events can be comparable to that from wildfires, the study found. The authors also showed that fireworks smoke may be creating an additional—albeit short term—health risk for communities already disproportionately burdened by air pollution: Urban ones with higher rates of asthma, more older residents, and a greater percentage of children under 10. These areas also tended to have more Black and Hispanic residents than those with less Fourth of July air pollution.
That picture they used of fireworks going off is from North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley. I just happen to live close to North Hollywood and can offer some insight on this issue.
Starting a month or so before the 4th of July, the entire valley is a non-stop illegal fireworks display. On the 4th, it sounds like the valley is being carpet bombed. Last night I didn’t even watch the fireworks in my town due to the illegal fireworks activity because I had to get my dog inside as she was freaking the f*ck out. This shit went on till well past midnight, like it does every year.
This morning I got up to what looked like a thick fog. It however smelled like Satan farted sulfur all over the place. I was unable to see the hills behind my house, which are usually visible even on really bad air quality days. I should point out that I’m white and this fireworks pollution affected me. Maybe I’m doing it wrong, who knows?
Now here’s a couple of points that Nat Geo and the crowdsourcing scienticians have ignored. The San Fernando Valley, where this racist fireworks pollution happened, is 43% white and 41% Latino. Also, most of the people shooting off these illegal fireworks are almost 100% Latino.
A more accurate headline would have been: Latinos Cause A Disproportionate Amount Of Fireworks Pollution Which Disproportionately Affects White People.
But hey, since when does the liberal media care about accuracy? Especially when it comes to matters of racism.
