Not to mention disturbing to animals around us and to some with PTSD issues. Maybe a good time for us to rethink this tradition.

Fireworks are a long-term tradition on the 4th but should now, perhaps, be consigned to the history books. The threat to health and safety is just too great - not to mention terrorizing pets and harm to wildlife. Time to switch over to a laser light show or some other high tech visual entertainment?

The Regional Air Quality Management District - seems to need to 'up the management' of this "measured" air quality problem.

The four regional detectors need to not exceed any "unhealthy" levels on July 4th and 5th. If the total lbs of fireworks (including large public displays) are toned down. That's US - @ Shoreline for instance. (and Great America -etc.)
-Then - correspondingly - the "safe and sane" cities need to be cut back to the same relatively reduced poundage.

- If that year doesn't result in enough reduction (to stay out of "unhealthy" range) AQMD should reduce the 'total fireworks load' correspondingly.

IMO - we have a federally calibrated system of meters, use them in a 'calibrated' way to get Healthy Air.