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Air pollution is a major public health threat that is associated with asthma, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and all-cause mortality. Among the most important acute air pollution events occurring each year are celebrations involving fireworks, such as the 4th of July holiday in the United States. In this community-engaged study, academic partners and residents collaborated to collect indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentration measurements in the disadvantaged city of Santa Ana, California, using low-cost AtmoTube sensor devices before, during and after the July 4th firework celebration, while also examining July 4th data extracted from the PurpleAir sensor network across over a hundred other cities in southern California. Average outdoor PM2.5 concentrations on July 4th were found to be three-to-five times higher than baseline, with hourly concentrations exceeding 160 μg/m3. Outdoor averages were roughly 30% to 100% higher than indoor levels. The most polluted cities exhibited 15-times higher PM2.5 levels compared with the least contaminated cities and were often those where household-level fireworks were legal for sale and use. Race/ethnicity was found to be the leading predictor of July 4th-related air pollution across three counties in southern California, with greater PM2.5 being associated with higher proportions of Hispanic residents and lower proportions of White residents. The findings from this study underscore the importance of environmental justice as it relates to firework-related air pollution exposure, and the critical role city- and county-level firework policies play in determining exposure.

Fireworks are often used in celebration, causing short term, extremely high particulate matter air pollution. In recent years, the rapid development and expansion of low-cost air quality sensors by companies such as PurpleAir has enabled an understanding of air pollution at a much higher spatiotemporal resolution compared to traditional monitoring networks. In this study, real-time PM2.5 measurements from 751 PurpleAir sensors operating from June to July in 2019 and 2020 were used to examine the impact of 4th of July fireworks on hourly and daily PM2.5 concentrations at the census tract and county levels in California. American Community Survey (ACS) and CalEnviroScreen 3.0 data were used to identify correlations between PM2.5 measurements and socioeconomic status (SES). A two-step method was implemented to assure the quality of raw PM2.5 sensor data and sensor calibration against co-located reference instruments. The results showed that over 67% and 81% of counties experienced immediate impacts related to fireworks in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Relative to 2019, the peak PM2.5 concentrations on July 4th and 5th 2020 were, on average, over 50% higher in California, likely due to the COVID-19-related increase in the use of household-level fireworks. This increase was most pronounced in southern counties, which tend to have less strict firework-related regulations and a greater use of illegal fireworks. Los Angeles County experienced the highest July 4th daily PM2.5 levels both in 2019 (29.9 µg·m-3) and 2020 (42.6 µg·m-3). Spatial hot spot analyses generally showed these southern counties (e.g., Los Angeles County) to be regional air pollution hotspots, whereas the opposite pattern was seen in the north (e.g., San Francisco). The results also showed PM2.5 peaks that were over two-times higher among communities with lower SES, higher minority group populations, and higher asthma rates. Our findings highlight the important role that policy and enforcement can play in reducing firework-related air pollution and protecting public health, as exemplified by southern California, where policy was more relaxed and air pollution was higher (especially in 2020 when the 4th of July coincided with the COVID-19-lockdown period), and in disadvantaged communities where disparities were greatest.

This article investigates the migration of three Italian-born artists working in France in the field of ephemeral entertainment and argues that their stories were part of a broader process of cultural history and artistic mobility of the long eighteenth century. These artists are the firework makers Ruggieri brothers, the circus performer Antonio Franconi and his family and the stage designer Ignazio Degotti. They left their home country at different points (1730s, 1750s and 1790 respectively), settling in Paris under different socio-political circumstances. Due to the immaterial and contingent medium in which these artists chose to work, which is difficult to replicate and collect, the mobility of these artists has often remained a neglected story. To explore the reasons why these artists moved from their home country and the motivation that convinced them to stay in France, this research combines an attentive examination of archival material with a methodology influenced by methods of cultural history. The paper argues that their lives and their artistic expertise were not only aesthetically relevant, but also very much integrated within the defined social and cultural context they chose to live in.

Abstract Background Firework-related ocular injuries (FWROI) are a major cause of preventable visual impairment. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence and outcome of FWROI in Switzerland. Methods This retrospective multicenter study included patients with FWROI from seven centers in Switzerland from January 2009 to August 2020. Demographic information, type of injuries, medical and surgical treatments, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and end of follow-up, occurrence and type of secondary complications, and duration of hospitalization were analyzed. Results A total of 105 patients (119 eyes) with a mean age of 27.1 ± 15.9 years were included in the study (71.4% male patients; 29.5% underage). Most injuries occurred around New Year’s Eve (32.4%) and the Swiss national holiday on 1 August (60.9%). The most common anterior segment findings were conjunctival or corneal foreign bodies (58%), whereas Berlin’s edema was the most common posterior segment finding (11.4%). Globe ruptures were found in four patients. The mean BCVA in all patients at first presentation was 0.4 ± 0.8 logMAR and improved to 0.3 ± 0.8 logMAR at last follow-up. A primary surgical intervention was performed in 48 eyes (40.3%). Hospitalization directly after the trauma was necessary for 18 patients for a mean of 5.8 ± 4.1 days, and a total of 4.9 ± 7.6 follow-up visits were needed. Conclusion This study provides the first data on FWROI in Switzerland, which are helpful for further preventive and educational programs and comparisons with other countries.

Fireworks are banned in many Chinese cities but never eliminated, reflecting strong public demand on this traditional activity for festival celebrations. On the other hand, the assessment of firework contributions to air pollution remains vague, raising concerns on the necessity of the mandatory bans. Here we investigated the characteristics of firework episodes in a megacity in Northeast China, based on field campaigns conducted in four successive winters during 2018–2022. Although prohibited, the firework influences remained evident during the Chinese New Year periods, as suggested by the enhancements of water-soluble potassium (K+). In addition, significant annual variations were identified for the firework episodes, with the following features observed. First, the firework-induced enrichment ratios of K+ and chloride exhibited increasing trends across years, climbing from 4.4 to 8.6 and from 1.7 to 2.9, respectively. Second, the enrichment ratio of sulfate dropped from 2.8 to 1.6, indicating that the firework contributions to sulfate decreased but remained considerable. Third, fireworks turned into an unimportant source for organic carbon and nitrate in the most recent winter of 2021–2022, with enrichment ratios of ∼1 for both species. Fourth, the firework-driven increases in fine particle concentration were as high as ∼100% for the two winters during 2019–2021, whereas the increase dropped sharply to ∼30% for 2021–2022. These variations were in line with the promotion of environmentally friendly fireworks. Our results indicated that the air pollution caused by fireworks could be reduced substantially by advanced manufacturing technologies and thus it is time to rethink the firework bans. [Display omitted] • Firework-emitted aerosols changed dramatically during recent years in Harbin. • Firework-induced enrichments in K+ and Cl− increased across years. • Firework contributions to organic matter and nitrate became negligible in 2022. • The relative importance of fireworks compared to other PM 2.5 sources decreased. • Green fireworks provide solution to balance air quality concerns and public demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated a simple fabrication methodology of free-standing polymer composite film firework that sparkles, provides colour display and moderate sound, yet is less polluting. The polymer composite film fireworks are composed of magnesium boride (MgB2), sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). This study also suggested that a flammable, explosive powder composition can be made of two very common inorganic precursors, mainly NaNO2 and MgB2. This is the first report demonstrating composite film fireworks with new flammable composition using metal boride as a primary precursor, which can also be used in conventional fireworks fabrication, replacing the traditional fuel, mainly gunpowder. The film fireworks were free from charcoal, sulphur, metal powder and paper. Therefore, they substantially lower the odour and COx, NOx emissions and minimize the substantial trash generated when burned. Most importantly, film firework's minimum ignition temperature and exothermic decomposition temperature are much higher than the ambient temperature; hence are safe to handle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Firework-related ocular injuries (FWROI) are a major cause of preventable visual impairment. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence and outcome of FWROI in Switzerland.Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included patients with FWROI from seven centers in Switzerland from January 2009 to August 2020. Demographic information, type of injuries, medical and surgical treatments, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and end of follow-up, occurrence and type of secondary complications, and duration of hospitalization were analyzed.Results: A total of 105 patients (119 eyes) with a mean age of 27.1 ± 15.9 years were included in the study (71.4% male patients; 29.5% underage). Most injuries occurred around New Year's Eve (32.4%) and the Swiss national holiday on 1 August (60.9%). The most common anterior segment findings were conjunctival or corneal foreign bodies (58%), whereas Berlin's edema was the most common posterior segment finding (11.4%). Globe ruptures were found in four patients. The mean BCVA in all patients at first presentation was 0.4 ± 0.8 logMAR and improved to 0.3 ± 0.8 logMAR at last follow-up. A primary surgical intervention was performed in 48 eyes (40.3%). Hospitalization directly after the trauma was necessary for 18 patients for a mean of 5.8 ± 4.1 days, and a total of 4.9 ± 7.6 follow-up visits were needed.Conclusion: This study provides the first data on FWROI in Switzerland, which are helpful for further preventive and educational programs and comparisons with other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Noise phobia is a common behavior problem in dogs for which there are limited treatment options. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of imepitoin in comparison to placebo for the control of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobia in dogs. Animals Two hundred thirty‐eight client‐owned dogs with noise phobia were recruited in veterinary clinics. Methods This placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blinded, clinical trial used a predictable noise event as eliciting context, the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in Germany and the Netherlands. Owners began treatment 2 days before the anticipated noise event with administration of either imepitoin 30 mg/kg body weight Q12h or placebo for 3 consecutive days. On New Year's Eve, owners noted their observations of their dog's fear and anxiety behavior at 1600, 2200, 0020, and 0100 hours and scored the overall treatment effect on the following day. Results In the 16‐item owner report of fear and anxiety signs, fear and anxiety behaviors were significantly reduced under imepitoin treatment compared to placebo (delta −6.1 scoring points; P

Background: Firework injuries to the hand can be devastating due to the explosive and ballistic nature of these devices. The aim of this study was to describe the injury and treatment characteristics of patients requiring surgery for firework-related hand injuries and to investigate which factors are associated with an increased utilization of health care resources. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing surgery for firework-related hand injuries at two American College of Surgeons level I trauma centers between 2005 and 2016 was performed. Twenty cases were identified. These patients were evaluated for demographics, injury characteristics, number and types of surgical interventions, length of stay, and utilization of health care resources. Bivariate analyses were performed to investigate which factors were associated with increased consumption of health care resources. Results: Injuries ranged from digital nerve injuries to traumatic amputation. Patients underwent a median of 3 surgical operations. More than half the patients underwent flap or skin graft coverage of a soft tissue defect. The median length of hospital stay was 7 days. Factors found to be associated with an increased utilization of surgical and hospital resources included a first web space injury, thumb fracture, and traumatic amputation of any digit. Conclusions: The morbidity inflicted by firework injuries to individual patients is substantial. Patients with severe injuries undergo a median of three surgical operations and have a long duration of initial hospital stay. Knowing which factors are associated with an increased utilization of resources can help prognosticate these preventable injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perturbation in ambient particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) and black carbon (BC) concentrations was studied during a firecracker bursting episode in Diwali (Festival of Lights) celebrations in Nagpur, India. Firecracker bursting resulted in greater escalation in fine particulates over coarse particulates while PM2.5 was found to be dominated by PM1 concentration. On the Diwali day, daily mean concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards by over 1.8 and 1.5 times, respectively, while daily mean BC concentration on the same day was almost two times higher than the previous day. The BC/PM1 ratio reduced remarkably from about 0.26 recorded before firecracker bursting activity to about 0.09 during firecracker bursting on Diwali night in spite of simultaneous escalation in ambient BC concentration. Such aberration in BC/PM1 was evidently a result of much higher escalation in PM1 than BC in ambient air during firecracker bursting. The study highlighted strong perturbations in ambient PM1, PM2.5, PM10 concentrations and BC/PM1 during the firecracker bursting episode. Altered atmospheric BC/PM1 ratios could serve as indicators of firecracker-polluted air and similar BC/PM1 ratios in local and regional air masses might be used as diagnostic ratios for firecracker smoke.

Background: Noise phobia is a common behavior problem in dogs for which there are limited treatment options. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of imepitoin in comparison to placebo for the control of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobia in dogs. Animals: Two hundred thirty‐eight client‐owned dogs with noise phobia were recruited in veterinary clinics. Methods: This placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blinded, clinical trial used a predictable noise event as eliciting context, the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in Germany and the Netherlands. Owners began treatment 2 days before the anticipated noise event with administration of either imepitoin 30 mg/kg body weight Q12h or placebo for 3 consecutive days. On New Year's Eve, owners noted their observations of their dog's fear and anxiety behavior at 1600, 2200, 0020, and 0100 hours and scored the overall treatment effect on the following day. Results: In the 16‐item owner report of fear and anxiety signs, fear and anxiety behaviors were significantly reduced under imepitoin treatment compared to placebo (delta −6.1 scoring points; P < .0001). A significantly higher proportion of owners reported a good or excellent overall treatment effect in the imepitoin group compared to placebo (odds ratio 4.689; 95% CI, 2.79‐7.89; P < .0001). Conclusion: Imepitoin effectively controls fear and anxiety associated with noise phobia in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the type, severity, management and outcome of firework‐related adnexal and ocular injuries during New Year's Eve festivities. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 123 injured patients (143 eyes) treated at the Rotterdam Eye Hospital between 2009 and 2013. All ages were included and analysed according to age, gender, active participant or bystander, laterality, location, dimension and severity of injury. Outcome parameter was the final best‐corrected visual acuity. Results: The mean age was 22 ± 13 years with 87% males and 53% bystanders. 52% were ≤18 years. There was a higher number of female than male bystanders (63% versus 51%, p = 0.30). 50% of the eyes sustained mild, 13% moderate and 37% severe trauma. Adults suffered more from severe injuries compared to children (42% versus 31%). The most frequent intervention was gunpowder removal (20%), followed by traumatic cataract surgery (12%) and amniotic membrane grafting (8%). 76% of patients were followed over 1 year. At the end of follow‐up, 88 (61.5%) eyes had recovered fully, while 55 (38.5%) eyes suffered from persistent complications with reduced vision ≤0.8 in 30% of injured eyes. 15 patients (12%, 10 adults, five children) were considered legally blind (vision ≤0.1). Three (2%) eyes were subject to evisceration. Conclusion: Every year, around New Year's Eve 30–45 victims were referred to the Rotterdam Eye Hospital; 50% sustained moderate‐to‐severe trauma. In severe firework injuries, patients required multiple treatments that may not prevent permanent blindness and/or functional/cosmetic disfigurement. The majority was bystander and younger than 18 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perturbation in ambient particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) and black carbon (BC) concentrations was studied during a firecracker bursting episode in Diwali (Festival of Lights) celebrations in Nagpur, India. Firecracker bursting resulted in greater escalation in fine particulates over coarse particulates while PM2.5 was found to be dominated by PM1 concentration. On the Diwali day, daily mean concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards by over 1.8 and 1.5 times, respectively, while daily mean BC concentration on the same day was almost two times higher than the previous day. The BC/PM1 ratio reduced remarkably from about 0.26 recorded before firecracker bursting activity to about 0.09 during firecracker bursting on Diwali night in spite of simultaneous escalation in ambient BC concentration. Such aberration in BC/PM1 was evidently a result of much higher escalation in PM1 than BC in ambient air during firecracker bursting. The study highlighted strong perturbations in ambient PM1, PM2.5, PM10 concentrations and BC/PM1 during the firecracker bursting episode. Altered atmospheric BC/PM1 ratios could serve as indicators of firecracker-polluted air and similar BC/PM1 ratios in local and regional air masses might be used as diagnostic ratios for firecracker smoke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several previous studies emission of ozone (O 3 ) during fireworks has been reported, which was attributed to either photolysis of molecular oxygen (O 2 ) or nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) by short/near UV radiation emitted during the high-temperature combustion of fireworks. In contrast, in the present study no O 3 formation was observed using a selective O 3 -LOPAP instrument during the combustion of pyrotechnical material in the laboratory, while a standard O 3 monitor using UV absorption showed extremely high O 3 signals. The artificial O 3 response of the standard O 3 monitor was caused by known interferences associated with high levels of co-emitted VOCs and could also be confirmed in field measurements during New Year's Eve in the city of Wuppertal, Germany. The present results help to explain unreasonably high ozone levels documented during ambient fireworks, which are in contradiction to the fast titration of O 3 by nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the night-time atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To determine the current population-based epidemiology, treatment, use of resources and outcomes of children's eye injuries in Finland. Methods The study included all new patients, 16 years of age or under, with ocular or orbital traumas taken into care to the Helsinki University Eye Hospital (population base 1.5 million people) in 1 year. The follow-up period was 3 months. Results Two hundred and two children's eye injuries were treated. The eye injury incidence was 5.2-8.3 per 10 000 per year, including all minor and major eye traumas. Eye injury most likely occurred at the junior high school age (13-16 years). Thirty-three percentage of accidents took place at home and 24% at school or in day care. The most common causes were sports equipment (15%), contact with human body (12%) and superficial foreign bodies (11%). Excluding minor injuries, contusion was the most common diagnosis ( n = 60, 30%). Eighty-seven percentage of contusion patients were estimated to need lifelong follow-up due to elevated glaucoma risk. Nine percentage of all patients had a permanent disability. Guns, fireworks, tools and pellet guns were relatively the most dangerous objects. Pellet guns caused 6% of eye injuries, 36% of them causing permanent impairment. The number of outpatient visits was altogether 443, inpatient days were 49, and 60 children had major surgeries. Conclusions Use of protective eyewear would have prevented or diminished eye traumas caused by pellet gun, floorball, most of the firework and in many superficial foreign body. The use of pellet guns and protective eyewear should be more supervised. Fireworks and tools are not suitable toys for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Primary explosion injuries with fireworks can lead to devastating and geometrically complex facial traumas that present a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Our patient, a woman in her early thirties, was hit directly in her chin by a large artillery shell firework. This caused complete soft tissue loss of the lower lip and chin beyond the oral commissures, complicated further by a comminuted mandible fracture. Methods. After external fixation, our patient underwent a 2-stage reconstruction with a novel composite flap arrangement. Soft tissue coverage and lip reconstruction were performed with opposing bilateral radial forearm free flaps. The outer flap constituted the soft tissue of the new chin and outer lower lip, whereas the inner flap composed the intraoral lining. In the second stage, portions of the inner upper lip mucosa and superior orbicularis oris muscle were flipped down as a bipedicle, axial pattern "bucket-handle" type flap to the lower lip to reconstruct the vermilion. A graft of fascia lata was attached to the modioli of the orbicularis oris and interpositioned beneath the vermilion flap and the radial forearms to restore static and some dynamic sphincter control. One month later, the mandibular fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Results. Two months after soft tissue reconstruction with no complications, our patient had satisfactory aesthetic outcomes, oral competence, and speech. Conclusions. This case has shown that use of bilateral, fascia lata-reinforced radial forearm flaps may be an effective choice for soft tissue reconstruction and oral competence restoration in cases of severe facial explosion trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a large series of ocular injuries caused by fire-crackers. This study was a hospital-based, singlecenter, retrospective case series in which the records of 51 patients with ocular injuries were analyzed. Injuries were classified according to Birmingham eye trauma terminology system (BETTS). Visual outcomes before and after the intervention were recorded. Ten patients were admitted for further management. As ocular firecracker injuries result in significant morbidity, public education regarding proper use of firecrackers may help in reducing the incidence of ocular injuries.

Since the air pollution and noise generated from fireworks are related to air quality and human health, the regulatory bodies had implemented the eco-friendly "Green Crackers" in megacity Delhi, India, to celebrate Diwali 2019 with the permission of a specific time slot (8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). The present study was conducted on a residential educational institute campus to evaluate the particle number size distribution (PNSD) of green cracker emissions. During the Diwali event period, the high peak of particle number concentration (PNC) reached 1.7 × 105 # cm−3 with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of ∼44 nm. The average PNC increment on Diwali day was 138% and 97% compared to pre (October 26, 2019) and post (October 28, 2019) Diwali period, respectively, including 468%, 142%, 65%, 75% on pre-Diwali and 485%, 110%, 32%, 26% on post- Diwali 2019 period in terms of Nucleation mode (10 nm < D p < 20 nm), Small Aitken mode (20 nm < D p < 50 nm), Large Aitken mode (50 nm < D p < 100 nm), and Accumulation mode (100 nm < D p < 1000 nm), respectively. Unlike traditional firework emissions, green crackers had a high UFP/N total ratio of 0.72, including Nucleation mode-0.35, Aitken mode-0.30, and Accumulation mode 0.35, distinguishing it from other pre-and post-Diwali particle number size distribution-dN/dlogDp curves. These observations indicate that green crackers emit more particles with smaller diameters than traditional crackers. Recommendations for using green crackers for Diwali celebrations may be an option if lower size-diameter particle emission could be controlled by changing the material composition of the green crackers. More research studies need to be conducted to assess atmospheric emissions of green crackers and their health impacts to evaluate whether they are better or worse than traditional crackers. [Display omitted] • Green crackers emit more particles on the lower size diameter when compared to traditional crackers. • UFP/N total ratio is higher than 0.7, while traditional fireworks have <0.6. • Green Crackers for Diwali celebrations could be an alternative in years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of Beijing aerosol was measured during summer and winter. Two distinct episodes were identified. Water-soluble potassium (K+) increased significantly during the firework episode in winter with an episode to non-episode ratio of 4.97, whereas the biomass burning (BB) episode in summer was characterized by high episode to non-episode ratios of levoglucosan (6.38) and K+ (6.90). The BB and firework episodes had only a minor influence on the water-soluble OC (organic carbon) to OC ratio. Based on separate investigations of episode and non-episode periods, it was found that: (i) sulfate correlated strongly with both relative humidity and nitrate during the typical winter period presumably indicating the importance of the aqueous-phase oxidation of sulfur dioxide by nitrogen dioxide, (ii) oxalate and WSOC during both winter and summer in Beijing were mainly due to secondary formation, and (iii) high humidity can significantly enhance the formation potential of WSOC in winter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of the burning of fireworks on air quality in Beijing was firstly assessed from the ambient concentrations of various air pollutants (SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM10 and chemical components in the particles) during the lantern festival in 2006. Eighteen ions, 20 elements, and black carbon were measured in PM2.5 and PM10, and the levels of organic carbon could be well estimated from the concentrations of dicarboxylic acids. Primary components of Ba, K, Sr, Cl−, Pb, Mg and secondary components of C5H6O4 2−, C3H2O4 2−, C2O4 2−, C4H4O4 2−, SO4 2−, NO3 − were over five times higher in the lantern days than in the normal days. The firework particles were acidic and of inorganic matter mostly with less amounts of secondary components. Primary aerosols from the burning of fireworks were mainly in the fine mode, while secondary formation of acidic anions mainly took place on the coarse particles. Nitrate was mainly formed through homogeneous gas-phase reactions of NO2, while sulfate was largely from heterogeneous catalytic transformations of SO2. Fe could catalyze the formation of nitrate through the reaction of α-Fe2O3 with HNO3, while in the formation of sulfate, Fe is not only the catalyst, but also the oxidant. A simple method using the concentration of potassium and a modified method using the ratio of Mg/Al have been developed to quantify the source contribution of fireworks. It was found that over 90% of the total mineral aerosol and 98% of Pb, 43% of total carbon, 28% of Zn, 8% of NO3 −, and 3% of SO4 2− in PM2.5 were from the emissions of fireworks on the lantern night. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fireworks are commonly used in celebrate festive occasions. We present a case of an unusual presentation of intraoral firework injury, which is a very rare case. A fifteen year old boy kept four explosive papercaps wrapped in a small polythene bags in between his left molars and crushed them. This resulted in a contused lacerated wound over the left buccal mucosa. Patient was treated conservatively with maintenance of intraoral hygiene, antibiotics, proteolytic enzymes and analgesics. It took 18 days for complete healing of the wound.

Fireworks are commonly used in celebrate festive occasions. We present a case of an unusual presentation of intraoral firework injury, which is a very rare case. A fifteen year old boy kept four explosive papercaps wrapped in a small polythene bags in between his left molars and crushed them. This resulted in a contused lacerated wound over the left buccal mucosa. Patient was treated conservatively with maintenance of intraoral hygiene, antibiotics, proteolytic enzymes and analgesics. It took 18 days for complete healing of the wound.

We employed an experimental approach for high spatial resolution sampling and analysis of PM 10 , allowing identification and spatial mapping of tracers of PM 10 emission sources. Very-low-volume samplers were used at 17 sites in Amersfoort and at one regulatory reference site in Utrecht, The Netherlands, in a 5-month monitoring period (from September 2018 to February 2019), to assess the monthly spatial distribution of PM 10 mass and PM 10 chemical compounds. By performing principal component analysis on the obtained spatially-resolved data, selective and reliable source tracers were identified for soil dust (Ca+, Cl−, insoluble Al, Ce, Li, U and V), brake dust (insoluble Fe, Mn, Mo, Nb, Sb, Sn, W and Zr, water-soluble Fe, Mn, Mo and Sb), industrial and/or agricultural emissions (NH 4 +, water-soluble As, Co, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and Ti), secondary organic and inorganic aerosols (water-soluble organic carbon, NO 3 − and SO 4 2−), biomass domestic heating (water-soluble organic carbon, levoglucosan, water-soluble Cs, Li, Rb and Tl) and New Year's Eve fireworks (K+, Mg2+, Na+, water-soluble Al, Ba, Bi, Cr, Cu and Sr). The autumn and winter spatial mapping of the identified source tracers allowed us to effectively assess and localize the impact of the different PM 10 sources and to evaluate the diffusion of the PM 10 particles. This approach proved to be very effective to trace low-intensity PM 10 sources and to map their seasonal spatial distribution. The obtained spatially-resolved chemical data can be used in further studies to evaluate spatial relationships between the concentration of PM 10 air pollutants and adverse outcomes for human health. This approach promises to be a powerful tool for obtaining seasonal and spatially-resolved information about PM composition and sources in several study areas, having high impact on the air quality management. [Display omitted] • Very-low volume PM 10 samplers worked in parallel for five months at 18 sites. • PM 10 samples were analyzed for WSOC, LVG, ions and soluble and insoluble elements. • Tracers of PM 10 sources were identified by performing PCA on the spatial data. • Autumn and winter spatial distribution of PM 10 chemical compounds was mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a descriptive case report of a seven-year-old boy presented in January 2007 with decreased vision in the right eye, for 2 months after sustaining a trauma while he was playing with fireworks during the Eid holiday. He was treated in a suburban hospital for corneal laceration and was prescribed a topical antibiotic and a topical steroid. When the child presented to us, a slit lamp examination revealed a thread in the anterior chamber, his un-aided visual acuity was 6/60 on a Snellen chart. Surgery to remove the foreign body was scheduled, but the patient never attended. The patient was lost to follow-up and returned in January 2011 with an un-aided visual acuity of 6/12, although the foreign body was retained in the anterior chamber (AC) with a quiet eye and good vision. At that time, we decided to follow the patient without any surgical intervention. Again, the patient was lost to follow-up and returned with almost full vision in September 2012, with a visual acuity of 6/6 without correction. Thus, we concluded that thread like IOFBs in the AC can be considered inert materials that may not need any surgical intervention in a quiet eye that does not show any signs of inflammation and where the IOFB is non-mobile and located away from the endothelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iranian people celebrate the last Wednesday of the year also known as Chahar Shambeh Soori (CSS) using low explosive pyrotechnics classified as fireworks. Mishaps and accidents are common and maxillofacial fractures may occur which have a negative impact on the quality of life. This study aimed to assess maxillofacial fractures (fx) caused by explosive agents., Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed 283 patients suffering maxillofacial fxs caused by explosive agents during CSS ceremonies between 2009 and 2019 referred to our craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery center. The data assessed included age, sex, cause, type, site, and severity of injury, fracture patterns, treatment modalities, and complications. All maxillofacial injuries were evaluated and treated by Craniomaxillofacial staff surgeons., Results: Among 283 patients, 72.8% (206) and 27.2% (77) were men and women, respectively. The mean age of patients was 17.35 years. The most common maxillofacial fracture was in the mid-face; with the distribution of fractures being: 39.9% zygomatic fractures, 32.1% nasal bone fractures, 63.2% dentoalveolar fracture, 43.1% Le Fort (Le Fort I, Le Fort II, Le Fort III), 31.4% orbital, and 43.1% mandible fractures. The most frequent type of treatment was Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) (77.4%)., Conclusion: The most common site of maxillofacial fractures and most frequent treatment used were similar to military or ballistic injuries. ORIF was common treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

Nitrated phenols in particulate matters are among the major components of brown carbon, harm plant growth and human health. To understand the size distributions of nitrated phenols in the polluted coastal region and the factors influencing these distributions, size-resolved particulate matters were collected from a rural site in the coastal city of Qingdao, China, in January 2019, and analyzed for the presence of 11 nitrated phenols. The average concentrations of total nitrated phenols in fine- and coarse-mode particles were 123.6 and 37.2 ng m−3, respectively. 4-Nitrophenol was found to be the dominant nitrated phenol, followed by 3-methyl-6-nitrocatechol, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, and 4-nitrocatechol. On average, maximum concentrations of nitrated phenols were in condensation-mode particles, whereas a minor concentration peak of nitro-salicylic acids was present in droplet-mode particles. In addition, a minor concentration peak of 4-methyl-2,6-dinitrophenol was noticed in coarse-mode particles. Comparisons of the size distributions under different situations confirmed that both primary emissions and secondary formation had significant effects on the abundances and particle-sizes of nitrated phenols. Coal combustion in residential villages and firework burning during a festival led to a sharp increase of nitrated phenols in condensation-mode particles, whereas dust promoted their heterogeneous formation in coarse-mode particles, and high humidity in the coastal area facilitated their aqueous formation in droplet-mode particles. Image 1028 • Concentrations and size distributions of 11 nitrated phenols (NPs) were presented. • Primary sources and secondary formation had impacts on size distributions of NPs. • Coal combustion and fireworks promoted the increases of NPs in condensation mode. • Dust in the atmosphere caused the heterogeneous formation of NPs in coarse particles. • High humidity obviously facilitated the aqueous formation of NPs in droplet mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Firework injuries to the hand can be devastating due to the explosive and ballistic nature of these devices. The aim of this study was to describe the injury and treatment characteristics of patients requiring surgery for firework-related hand injuries and to investigate which factors are associated with an increased utilization of health care resources. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing surgery for firework-related hand injuries at two American College of Surgeons level I trauma centers between 2005 and 2016 was performed. Twenty cases were identified. These patients were evaluated for demographics, injury characteristics, number and types of surgical interventions, length of stay, and utilization of health care resources. Bivariate analyses were performed to investigate which factors were associated with increased consumption of health care resources. Results: Injuries ranged from digital nerve injuries to traumatic amputation. Patients underwent a median of 3 surgical operations. More than half the patients underwent flap or skin graft coverage of a soft tissue defect. The median length of hospital stay was 7 days. Factors found to be associated with an increased utilization of surgical and hospital resources included a first web space injury, thumb fracture, and traumatic amputation of any digit. Conclusions: The morbidity inflicted by firework injuries to individual patients is substantial. Patients with severe injuries undergo a median of three surgical operations and have a long duration of initial hospital stay. Knowing which factors are associated with an increased utilization of resources can help prognosticate these preventable injuries.

In Italy the economic crisis has caused changes in behavior in daily as well as leisure activities. For instance, night clubs have changed both their scenography and what they can offer. From simply providing a place to dance, they can now offer more complex scenography with spectacular fireworks and lit cocktails. While this can be amazing for all of us it can also be another cause of burn injuries. We conducted a retrospective study of all burns patients admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department at CTO Hospital in Turin from 2009 to 2013, after a night clubbing. A total of five patients were identified with an average age of 20 years old: four were burned by flaming cocktails and one was burned by a firework. Two received outpatient treatment, while orotracheal intubation and admission were needed for three, and two required surgical debridement and resurfacing with split skin graft. All patients had permanent sequelae caused by pathologic scarring and/or dyschromia. Our findings show that the risk of burn injuries is higher at weekends, mainly in summer, if all correct safety procedures are not followed. Meanwhile it is important to highlight that the promotion of inappropriate behavior at night clubs during firework displays and the passing of flaming cocktails should be avoided.

Easter is the most important holiday for the Greek Church. It is rich in traditions and rituals but during the Greek Easter festivities, especially at midnight Mass on Easter Saturday night, it is customary to throw fireworks around. These fireworks are not part of the true Easter tradition and they are potentially fatal. Unfortunately, in the past few years, the custom has become more and more popular in Greece. There are some local variations, mainly in the Aegean islands, where homemade rockets are used to have a "rocket war". The rockets consist of wooden sticks loaded with an explosive mixture containing gunpowder and launched from special platforms. Many severe injuries involving loss of sight and limbs as well as major burns are also caused by the use of illegal fireworks at Easter. Every year numerous burn victims are hospitalized. The most affected areas are the face, the upper extremities, and the chest, often in association with slight or severe wounds and injuries. This study presents our department's experience with incidents due to the use of fireworks during Easter festivities.