Everyone's favorite holiday, New Year, has recently passed. What do you think is common in its celebration in many countries of the world, except for a family feast, a Christmas tree, presents, Santa Claus? That's right, fireworks! Thousands of bright lights cover the whole sky. This combination of beautiful multi-colored flames and flickering lights is indescribably stunning.

However, I noticed that on the morning after the holidays, the sky is covered with smog, and the air is not so clean. After doing some research, I concluded that fireworks propel a cocktail of chemicals into the atmosphere, many of which can harm both people and the environment. Some of the toxins in fireworks never are able to fully decompose and can stay in the environment for decades, continuously poising the air around them. 

The colors of fireworks are the result of chemistry and physics made visible. Specifically, fireworks’ colors depend upon solid metal salts and chemical explosives that create colors when heated to the correct temperatures.

Different metal compounds give different colors. For example, lithium (Li) salts produce pink, sodium (Na) salts make yellow or orange, copper (Cu) and barium (Ba) salts generate green or blue, and calcium (Ca) or strontium (Sr) give red. These radioactive and poisonous elements may increase the risk of cancer in people. 

Although the heavy metals in fireworks experience a temporary physical change, the metal salts and explosives in the fireworks undergo chemical changes by combining with oxygen (combustion). This chemical reaction releases smoke and gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen, and these are some of the primary greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. The air pollution caused by firecrackers can also cause various health problems, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, common cold, pneumonia, laryngitis, etc. It can also aggravate all people's respiratory health problems.

Fireworks can also pollute public water supply systems, leaving the water full of the same harmful chemicals that are fluttering through the air. Not only does this mean that you might be drinking those chemicals, but our wildlife will also consume the contaminants. Also, it can lead to life-threatening injuries to pets and birds.

Are minutes of pleasure worth such risk? 

There are many efforts people are taking to help counteract the harmful effects of fireworks on a large and small scale. For example, many small shows are using other methods of entertainment and celebration other than fireworks. Methods such as lasers, hot air balloons, or other simple celebration traditions, like taking a hike or staying at home with great music and conversation are great ways to help save the environment while still enjoying the evening. 

Sources:

https://images.app.goo.gl/SrUPr1RfPGG7wTfL6

 https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2019/12/31/festive-fireworks-create-harmful-pall-of-pollution/?sh=54e3ce228535

https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/are-fireworks-bad-for-the-environment/