Fireworks: Fun Or Polluting Flares?

Fireworks are a source of extensive air pollution, releasing harmful chemicals, toxins, and smoke into the atmosphere. They can also pollute water systems, leaving behind dangerous heavy metals and toxins that can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems. Fireworks have been found to increase air pollution levels by an average of 42% on the Fourth of July in the US, with similar spikes seen following New Year's Eve celebrations in the UK. With the potential to cause long-term damage to the environment and human health, fireworks are a significant contributor to pollution.

Fireworks release high levels of pollution into the sky

A 2015 study found that air pollution levels increased by an average of 42% on the Fourth of July, and a new study published in the journal *Atmospheric Environment* found that fireworks introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than are found on a normal day. Part of that increase is a spike in emissions of perchlorate, a chemical that may disrupt the thyroid's ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development.

Firework smoke releases other harmful metals into the air, including aluminium, manganese, and cadmium. Some illegal fireworks even contain lead, which is extremely dangerous and can cause long-term damage. Inhaling any of these chemicals is detrimental to health and can irritate the lungs, making it hard to breathe and causing serious health problems. Exposure to air pollution has been shown to increase cases of chronic cough and other lung diseases.

Fireworks can also contribute to microplastic pollution in water. The River Thames in England had an enormous increase in microplastic content following the New Year's Eve firework show, with a 1000% increase in microplastics in the river between samples taken on 30 December 2019 and 1 January 2020.

Fireworks cause extensive air pollution in a short amount of time

Fireworks introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than a normal day, including a chemical called perchlorate, which may disrupt the thyroid's ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increase in cases of chronic cough and other lung diseases.

Fireworks can also pollute public water supply systems, leaving water full of harmful chemicals. When rivers, lakes and oceans absorb heavy metals and toxins from fireworks, the pollution can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems. For example, the River Thames in England saw a 1000% increase in microplastic content following a New Year's Eve firework show.

Overall, fireworks cause a significant amount of pollution in a short space of time, with detrimental effects on both air and water quality, as well as human and aquatic health.

Fireworks can pollute public water supply systems

A study published in the journal *Atmospheric Environment* found that fireworks release high levels of pollution into the sky on July 4 and 5. As a national average, Independence Day fireworks introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than are found on a normal day. This includes a spike in emissions of perchlorate, a chemical that may disrupt the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development.

Fireworks also contribute to microplastic pollution in water. The River Thames in England had a 1000% increase in microplastic content following the New Year’s Eve firework show.

The smoke from fireworks releases harmful metals into the air, such as aluminium, manganese, and cadmium. Some illegal fireworks even contain lead, which can cause long-term damage. Inhaling these chemicals is detrimental to health and can irritate the lungs, making it hard to breathe and causing serious health problems.

Fireworks contribute to microplastic pollution in water

Fireworks cause extensive air pollution in a short amount of time, leaving metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals, and smoke in the air for days. Fireworks can also contribute to microplastic pollution in water.

A study found that the River Thames in England had a 1000% increase in microplastic content following the New Year's Eve firework show. Ria Devereux, one of the researchers, said:

> Whilst we expected an increase in microplastics' presence, we did not expect over a 1000% increase from the sample taken on the 30th December 2019 to the one taken 6 hours after the firework display on the 1st January 2020 roughly 24 hours later.

The microplastics found in the Thames were plastic particles 5mm in diameter and less. When rivers, lakes, and oceans absorb a large amount of heavy metals and toxins from fireworks, the pollution can harm aquatic life and disrupt the balance of ecosystems.

Fireworks also introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than are found on a normal day. Part of that increase is a spike in emissions of perchlorate, a chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency says may "disrupt the thyroid's ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development".

Fireworks can cause long-term damage to health

Fireworks can also pollute public water supply systems, leaving the water full of harmful chemicals. When rivers, lakes, and oceans absorb a large amount of heavy metals and toxins from fireworks, the pollution can harm aquatic life and disrupt the balance of ecosystems.

A study published in the journal *Atmospheric Environment* found that fireworks release high levels of pollution into the sky on July 4 and 5. As a national average, culled from 315 different testing sites, Independence Day fireworks introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than are found on a normal day. Part of that increase is a spike in emissions of perchlorate, a chemical that may disrupt the thyroid's ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development.

Fireworks also release other harmful metals into the air, such as aluminium, manganese, and cadmium. Some illegal fireworks even contain lead, which is extremely dangerous and can cause long-term damage. Inhaling these chemicals is detrimental to health and can irritate the lungs, making it hard to breathe and causing serious health problems.

Additionally, fireworks can contribute to microplastic pollution in water. The River Thames in England had a shocking increase in microplastic content following the New Year's Eve firework show in 2019/2020.

Frequently asked questions