Celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States

850,000 fireworks cause air pollution in Washington

When the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Saturday, 850,000 fireworks will be launched. This will be a world record – in comparison, 7,000 were sent up on National Day last year.

Experts and the National Park Service NPS are now warning that this could lead to dangerous levels of air pollution around the National Mall in Washington, DC, writes Politico.

Environmental Protection Agency EPA spokesman Mike Bastach writes in a comment that “fireworks are awesome” and that it is not the EPA’s job to measure the air impact they cause.

However, in internal documents, NPS employees write that the air can be polluted to the point that people should wear particle-filtering N95 face masks outdoors after the fireworks.

Extreme heat threatens public celebrations in the United States

A severe heat wave is prevailing in large parts of the eastern United States, affecting the 250th anniversary celebrations and the soccer World Cup, several media outlets report.

Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 46 degrees, writes AFP. In Washington DC, Donald Trump's Great American State Fair had to be temporarily closed on Friday due to the heat, according to ABC News.

In Miami, where Argentina and Cape Verde meet tonight, 38 degrees are expected in the non-air-conditioned stadium. Tomorrow, France and Paraguay meet in Philadelphia, where it could be over 40 degrees.

Train operator Amtrak has canceled more than 20 train lines in the northeastern United States.

The current heat and humidity in the United States would be "virtually impossible" without climate change, a recent study from World Weather Attribution states.