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Setting off fireworks is a fun part of celebrating Victoria Day and Canada Day.
However, there are some environmental effects that need to be kept in mind:
- Air Pollution - The smoke from fireworks consists mainly of fine
toxic dusts (particulate matter) that can easily enter the lungs. This represents
a real threat for people with asthma or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Smoke
from fireworks combustion may contain a mixture of sulfur-coal compounds, traces
of heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals or gases. The combustion cloud can contain
harmful fumes such as ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide. Smoke from consumer
fireworks is of most concern because they are released at a low level which makes
inhalation more likely compared to professional displays. Additionally, in this
time where the issues of climate change and global warming are being presented with
a sense of urgency, we need to be concerned about the greenhouse gases fireworks
produce, which include carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone.
- Water Pollution - Fireworks fallout can contaminate water supplies
and residue on the ground can be carried away by rain and end up in our lake.
- Noise Pollution - Fireworks can be loud and the vibrations can
travel far. In the middle of the night fireworks often disturb people trying to
sleep. Fireworks can exceed 140 decibels and noise at 85 decibels or above can damage
hearing.
The Toxic Elements of Fireworks
|
Toxic Element |
Fireworks Usage |
Toxic Effects |
|
Aluminum |
brilliant whites |
Contact dermatitis, bioaccumulation |
|
Antimony sulfide |
glitter effects |
Toxic smoke, possible carcinogen |
|
Arsenic compounds |
Used as colorants. Sadly still out there.1 |
Toxic ash can cause lung cancer, skin irritation and wart formation. |
|
Barium Nitrate |
glittering greens |
Poisonous. Fumes can irritate respiratory tract. Possible radioactive fallout. 2 |
|
Copper compounds |
blues |
Polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans.3 Can bioaccumulate.
Cancer risk. |
|
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)3 |
Use was supposed to be banned globally. |
Persistent environmental toxin. Is a carcinogen, mutagen and a reproductive hazard.
4 |
|
Lead Dioxide / Nitrate / Chloride |
oxidizer |
Bioaccumulation, developmental danger for kids & unborn babes, may remain airborne
for days, poisonous to plants & animals. |
|
Lithium compounds |
blazing reds |
Toxic and irritating fumes when burned. |
|
Mercury (Mercurous chloride) |
chlorine donor |
Toxic heavy metal. Can bioaccumulate. |
|
Nitric oxide |
fireworks byproduct5 |
Toxic by inhalation. Is a free radical. |
|
Nitrogen dioxide |
fireworks byproduct5 |
Highly toxic by inhalation. SIDS risk.6 |
|
Ozone |
fireworks byproduct7 |
Greenhouse gas that attacks & irritates lungs. |
|
Perchlorate - Ammonium & Potassium |
propellant / oxidizer |
Can contaminate ground & surface waters, can cause thyroid problems in humans
& animals. |
|
Potassium Nitrate |
in black powder |
Toxic dusts, carcinogenic sulfur-coal compounds. |
|
Strontium compounds |
blazing reds |
Can replace calcium in body. Strontium chloride is slightly toxic. |
|
Sulfur Dioxide |
gaseous byproduct of sulfur combustion |
Acid rain from sulphuric acid affects water sources, vegetation & causes property
damage. SIDS risk.6 |
Inconclusive Fireworks Research
In the summer of 2009, the Lake George Association (a lake association in New Hampshire)
studied the effects of professional fireworks displays on the local environment.
They took water samples immediately before and after their July 4th weekend
to determine the effect of 21 fireworks shows on the water quality. They also took
core samples at several locations to measure the long term effect. They only looked
at a subset of potentially harmful chemicals, but they found that there was no measurable
effect. Read the entire presentation: An Initial Study into the Effects of Fireworks on the Water
Quality of Lake George,
 1.4Mb
Other studies have shown that there are indeed negative environmental effects of
fireworks displays:
- A case study has shown that within 1 hour of fireworks displays levels of Strontium
in the air increased 120 times, Magnesium 22 times, Barium 12 times, Potassium 11
times, and Copper 6 times more than the amount present in the air before the event.
Strontium was found to be the best tracer in this study because it measured very
high during the event and much lower at other time intervals which indicated that
it was mostly a result of the fireworks display.8
- Another study found that firework events brought air pollution spikes in suspended
particles, Nitric oxide (NO), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), and created and dispersed an
aerosol cloud hosting a range of metallic elements. The researchers found that although
the "recreational pollution" from fireworks is transient in nature, the pollutants
are highly concentrated and add significantly to the total yearly metal emissions
and the particles are on average small enough to be easily inhaled which poses a
health risk to sensitive individuals.9
- Researchers have found that fireworks can create a burst of ozone which is an extremely
reactive greenhouse gas molecule that can attack and irritate the lungs. The ozone
is believed to be caused by ultraviolet light released by chemicals in fireworks,
which in this study were sparklers.7
- A 3 week study in London recorded two major festivals celebrated with pyrotechnic
events and found that they were marked by increased gas phase pollutant levels of
Nitric oxide (NOx) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2), elevated PM mass concentrations, as
well as trace metal concentrations, specifically Strontium (Sr), Magnesium (Mg),
Potassium (K), Barium (Ba), and Lead (Pb). These changes in air quality were then
related to the oxidative activity of daily PM samples by assessing their capacity
to drive the oxidation of physiologically important lung antioxidants. Because of
the elevated PM concentrations caused by firework activity and the increased oxidative
activity of this PM source, the researchers believe more work needs to be done in
examining if exposure to firework derived PM is related to acute respiratory outcomes.10
- Another study from 2010 attempts to estimate the probable health impact of exposure
to the pollution caused by fireworks. Using risk data from epidemiological studies
conducted in USA, they estimated that when exposed to air pollution from fireworks
the relative risk of cardiovascular mortality would increase as high as 125.11%
and the relative risk for cardiovascular morbidity was found to increase 175.16%
over a regular winter day. The authors conclude that further studies on control
measures for firework displays are needed to help reduce the probable health hazards
to the general public.11
References
[1] Steinhauser, Georg. "Heavy metals from pyrotechnics
in New Years Eve snow.", Atmospheric Environment, Volume 42, Issue 37, December
2008
[2] Steinhauser G and Musilek A. "Do pyrotechnics
contain radium?", Environ, Res. Lett. 4 034006 July-September 2009
[3] O. Fleischer. "Release of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins
and dibenzofurans by setting off fireworks.", Chemosphere, Volume 39, Issue
6, September 1999
[4] "Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in Fireworks - Guidance
Note", The Environment Agency, September 2010
[5] Russell, Michael S. The Chemistry of Fireworks,
2000
[6] Dales, Robert. "Air Pollution and Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome.", Pediatrics, Vol. 113 No. 6 June 2004
[7] Attri, Arun K. "Microclimate: Formation of
Ozone by Fireworks.", Nature, Volume 411, June 28, 2001
[8] Vecchi, Roberta. "The Impact of Fireworks on
Airborne Particles.", Atmospheric Environment
[9] Moreno, Teresa. "Recreational atmospheric pollution
episodes: Inhalable metalliferous particles from firework displays.", Atmospheric
Environment, Volume 41, Issue 5, February 2007
[10] Godri KJ, Green DC. "Particulate Oxidative
Burden Associated with Firework Activity.", Environmental Science & Technology,
October 1, 2010
[11] B. Thakur. "Air pollution from fireworks
during festival of lights (Deepawali) in Howrah, India - a case study.", Atmosfera,
Vol 23, No 4, 2010
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