Southern California is experiencing the worst air quality in a decade thanks to widespread use of 4th of July fireworks.
Some air monitoring instruments even became too filthy to function.
Jo Kay Ghosh with the South Coast Air Quality Management District says burning fireworks emit unhealthy levels of particulate matter into the air.
"Breathing high levels of particulate matter can cause both respiratory problems, as well as heart attacks, it can aggravate asthma. It can also lead to difficulty breathing and other mostly respiratory or cardiovascular effects."
Ghosh says weather over the holiday weekend trapped the firework smoke close to the ground instead of allowing it to clear out.
Some of the worst areas include North Hollywood, Anaheim and Downtown Los Angeles.
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