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Firework displays for North West Ohio?

Are firework displays a health-risk?

  • I LOVE firework displays! They always bring out the big kid in me, and the louder, brighter and more spectacular they are the more I grin, laugh, whoop and cheer. The New Year fireworks in London this year were particularly impressive (they've been getting better every year, and of course we are hosting the Olympics this year so the organizers probably wanted to make them extra-special). Some thoughts do occur to me when watching massive firework displays like this, though: exactly how many toxic substances of various kinds are all those pretty bangs putting into the atmosphere, could those substances pose a health-risk to spectators from 'fall-out' in the immediate area, and is there any longer-term residue that contaminates the site for days or weeks later? The last thing I want to be accused of is being a party-pooper, fun-sponge or kill-joy, and neurotic, over-cautious Health & Safety zealots who are always trying to spoil everyone's fun are no friends of mine. But I just wonder where all the chemicals in fireworks end up, and whether any assessments have ever been made about their potential effects on public health? If there are proven risks, should people be told so that they can make an informed choice about whether to expose themselves to them?

  • Answer:

    Fireworks produce smoke and dust that may contain residues of heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds and some low concentration toxic chemicals. These by-products of fireworks combustion will vary depending on the mix of ingredients of a particular firework. Sources of perchlorate range from lightning and certain fertilizers to the perchlorate compounds in rocket fuel and explosives. Scientists long suspected community fireworks displays were another source, but few studies had been done on the topic. The concern over pollution from fireworks constitutes a red herring, since the amount of contamination from fireworks is minuscule in comparison to emissions from sources such as the burning of fossil fuels. Coal fueled electricity generation alone is a much greater source of heavy metal contamination in the environment than fireworks.

Brian Bergström at Quora Visit the source

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Brian has good points about the relative adverse effects of occasional fireworks in one location contribute on environmental contamination and health risks. The little research I've done seems to indicate that there is little risk in individual firework displays or a series of displays over a few days (see Emission Factor abstract below]  However, the displays can adversely effect those with poor health conditions [See Recreational Factor abstract below] Another thing to think on. How much pollution is being generated already in the locale? How much do fireworks contribute to the mix? Could a firework display be used to educate folks on pollution generators in the area and the relative contributions of fireworks? (these are just thinking out loud quesitons!) You are not alone in your concerns. (We've come a long way since the 60's...I remember as a 6th grade student..we passed  about 1 tablespoon of mercury around the room to "play with" ...with the teacher's encouragement!). A 2007 research paper in the international peer reviewed journal "Atmospheric Environment" reported on the aerosol samples collected during massive fireworks displays at the 6 day event Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain. The conclusion in the abstract " "Although firework-related recreational pollution episodes are transient in nature, they are highly concentrated, contribute significantly to total annual metal emissions, and are on average fine enough to be easily inhaled and a health risk to susceptible individuals. " [Recreational atmospheric pollution episodes: Inhalable metalliferous particles from fireworkdisplays; Atmospheric Environment; Feb2007, Vol. 41 Issue 5, p913-922, 10p] I haven't done detailed research [only a cursory search at Academic Search Premier] but there have been some studies on the effects of firework by products on human health/environment. --Emission factors and exposures from ground-level pyrotechnics.[Atmospheric Environment; Sep2010, Vol. 44 Issue 27, p3295-3303, 9p] From the abstract "Potential exposures from ground-level pyrotechnics were assessed by air monitoring and developing emission factors. Total particulate matter, copper and SO<sub>2</sub> exposures exceeded occupational health guidelines at two outdoor performances using consumer pyrotechnics. Al, Ba, B, Bi, Mg, Sr, Zn, and aldehyde levels were elevated, but did not pose a health hazard based on occupational standards. There seems to be some trends in making less toxic fireworks.. For example, the US Army is considering replacing a barium compound with a much less toxic boron compound in green colored fireworks. [The free online article Cleaner, Greener Fireworks (http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110408/full/news.2011.222.html) also discusses other variables in firework production as cost and performance. Boron seems to "pass these tests". So, there are good reasons to be concerned about the effects of at least some firework components. This raises good ethical questions about the responsibility of people shooting fireworks (this is a general question, Brian, not  pointing fingers at the industry!) Can only speak for myself, I know in my own daily life I don't always walk lightly on the earth...but once aware of the (at least potential) adverse effects of what I do...as being an agent of free will (sorry, what little philosophy I had is creeping in!)...I do have some responsibility on choosing what to do or not do.... This isn't really a complete answer. Just the results of about 15 minutes or so of searching. I would be happy to search further. Let me know which direction.

Janice Flahiff

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