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Everyone loves the bangs and fizzes and the pyrotechnics display that fireworks bring with them. Each year, manufacturers strive to outdo themselves in the magnificence of the colours and patterns that show up in the displays. Around the world, firecrackers are increasingly becoming the way to celebrate important occasions or festivals. Whether it is New Year in New York, Diwali in Delhi or Guy Fawkes Day in London, fireworks are rapidly becoming part and parcel of these celebrations.
Environmental Effects Caused By Firecrackers
However, despite the stunning display of fireworks, an increasing concern is for the damage done to the environment when firecrackers burst. Fireworks contain carbon and sulphur as well as tiny metallic particulates of chemicals such as antimony, barium, strontium, lithium, aluminium and copper. These particulates are what give colour to the amazing display of pyrotechnics that we express wonder over. In addition, potassium compounds are used to propel firecrackers such as rockets.
All these chemicals are released into the atmosphere during a fireworks display in the form of smoke and miniscule particulates where they linger for days together. They cause substantial air pollution, making the air almost completely unhealthy for anyone, child or adult, to breathe in.
This is a problem that persists around the globe. Guy Fawkes Day in London is considered the most polluted day in the year; Indian cities such as Delhi are covered in smog that is much worse than what Beijing experiences on a normal day. The particles that were analysed from these places were found to lower lung defences much more than pollution from everyday traffic, showing that they are more toxic.
Not all particulates remain in the air. Many of them settle on the ground, where there are already plenty of unburnt remains of the firecrackers. Some of this residue eventually gets washed into water bodies nearby such as lakes and rivers. These particulates have been linked to problems with the thyroid gland. Overall, they reduce the quality of drinking water so much that some states in the US have actually set limits on the drinking water.
Conclusion
Fireworks are relatively new additions to occasions and festivals around the globe. However, in these times, when global warming and climate change are causes for grave concern, they add significantly to the burden that the environment has to bear. Just one day or even one night of fireworks use increases pollution levels so much that getting the levels of pollution down appears a hopeless task. It is up to each individual to take personal responsibility and stop using firecrackers.