Fireworks' Air Pollution: A Nightly Concern?

Fireworks are a major source of air pollution, releasing harmful contaminants into the atmosphere and causing a range of health issues for humans and wildlife. Fireworks are made of various chemicals and metals, including strontium, magnesium, barium, potassium, and copper, which undergo a chemical reaction when ignited, producing toxic atmospheric pollutants. These pollutants can have severe impacts on individuals with respiratory problems and can also lead to negative health effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma attacks, and even cancers. The heavy metals released by fireworks can travel far distances, spreading toxic pollution, and their environmental impact extends beyond the atmosphere as they are washed out of the air by rainfall, accumulating in and polluting water sources.

With growing awareness of the harmful effects of fireworks, some countries and cities have implemented policies and adopted greener alternatives to reduce their environmental impact.

Fireworks are made of black powder, a carbon emitter, and produce carbon dioxide and monoxide

Fireworks are a major source of air pollution, and their carbon emissions have a detrimental effect on air quality. Fireworks are made of black powder, a carbon emitter, and when ignited, they release carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.

Black powder, also known as gunpowder, is a mixture of charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate. When set off, fireworks made from black powder undergo a chemical reaction called combustion, which produces both a dazzling display and harmful atmospheric pollutants. These pollutants include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. The particulate matter, or "particle pollution", is a combination of minuscule solid and liquid substances found in the air, and is considered one of the most hazardous forms of air pollution due to its detrimental effects on people's lungs and hearts, as well as the environment.

The carbon emissions from fireworks can have a significant impact on the air quality of the surrounding area. For example, during the 2019 Diwali festival, a celebration featuring a large number of fireworks, the Air Quality Index in Delhi reached a value of 500 in several parts of the city, including the international airport. This value is classified as 'severe' and can severely affect the health of healthy individuals and those with respiratory illnesses. Similarly, in the US, the Independence Day fireworks introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than on a normal day, and release about 60,340 metric tons of CO2 annually, which is higher than the emissions from 12,000 gas-engine vehicles.

In addition to carbon emissions, fireworks also emit heavy metals such as strontium, magnesium, barium, potassium and copper, which can be harmful to human health. These metals are washed out of the air by rainfall and accumulate in and pollute the soil and water. The environmental and health impacts of fireworks have led some countries and cities to implement policies and adopt greener alternatives, such as drone and laser displays, to reduce their detrimental effects.

Fireworks also emit ozone, a greenhouse gas, and other dangerous gases

Fireworks are a major source of air pollution, releasing a host of contaminants that affect air quality and contribute to climate change. They emit a cloud of particulate matter and smoke, which negatively impact local air quality.

Fireworks are made of various metals that produce different colours when they burn. For instance, pink colours are produced by lithium, sodium salts produce orange or yellow, and barium and copper salts produce blue or green flames. However, these metal salts do not burn up completely, leaving traces of metal atoms and aerosols that pollute the air, water, and soil. These metals can cause a range of short- and long-term health issues, including vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma attacks, kidney disease, cardiotoxic effects, and even cancer.

In addition to particulate matter, fireworks also emit gases, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases. Notably, fireworks also release ozone, a highly reactive greenhouse gas molecule that can irritate the lungs. This is particularly concerning as ozone is usually created by ultraviolet light present in sunlight, but fireworks have been found to produce it in the absence of sunlight.

The impact of fireworks on air quality is significant. In the United States, fireworks release about 60,340 metric tons of CO2 annually, which is more than the emissions from 12,000 gas-engine vehicles. During celebrations like the Fourth of July in the US and Diwali in India, fireworks contribute to even higher levels of air pollution. For example, during the 2019 Diwali festival, the Air Quality Index in Delhi reached a value of 500, the highest level, indicating severe air pollution. Similarly, the Fourth of July celebrations in 2015 resulted in a 42% increase in airborne particulate matter compared to a typical day.

The pollutants released by fireworks can travel far from their origin, spreading toxic metals over a wide area. These emissions not only impact the atmosphere but also accumulate in the environment, leading to soil and water pollution.

Fine particulate matter is released, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues

Fireworks are a well-loved source of entertainment, but they also have a detrimental effect on air quality. Fireworks introduce 42% more pollutants into the air than would normally be found, and these pollutants can have adverse effects on human health.

Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, is released in high concentrations during and immediately after fireworks displays. These particles are a combination of minuscule solid and liquid substances found in the air. They are considered the most hazardous type of air pollutant due to their ability to affect people's lungs and hearts. When nitrogen and sulfur—used to create colour and special effects—are exposed to oxygen, they form nitric and sulfuric acids, which are very harsh on the lungs.

The smoke from fireworks generally dissipates within a few hours, but individuals may still experience lingering health effects. Those most at risk are children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Short-term exposure to firework smoke can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma and acute bronchitis, and increasing the susceptibility to respiratory infections. For those with heart disease, it can lead to heart attacks and arrhythmias.

The metallic components of fireworks also contribute to the release of fine particulate matter. Studies have found elevated levels of various metals during firework events, including aluminum, barium, copper, strontium, antimony, lead, magnesium, and potassium. These metals, along with other substances added during the manufacturing process, act as stabilizers, oxidizers, and colourants.

The impact of fireworks on respiratory health has been a focus of several studies, particularly concerning healthy individuals and those with underlying respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While strong evidence of the impact on respiratory health is lacking, there are indications that exposure to firework pollutants may have detrimental effects.

Fireworks increase strontium, magnesium, barium, potassium and copper levels in the air

Fireworks are a major source of air pollution, releasing a host of contaminants that affect air quality and contribute to climate change. These contaminants include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. The burning of fireworks also releases toxic metals and chemical vapours into the atmosphere, causing a significant increase in air pollution levels.

Fireworks contain various chemical compounds that, when ignited, produce vibrant colours. These colours are the result of different metal salts and compounds that emit light within specific wavelengths. The brilliant greens produced by barium, the deep reds of strontium, the blues of copper, and the yellows of sodium are just a few examples of the colours created by these metal salts.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, fireworks also rely on other chemical compounds to function effectively. Potassium, for instance, is an essential oxidizer in fireworks, helping to burn the mixture and create the desired explosion. Magnesium, often combined with aluminium to form magnalium, enhances the brightness of fireworks, adding white sparks or improving their overall brilliance.

The combustion of these chemicals leads to an increase in the atmospheric concentration of these metals. While the immediate impact of fireworks displays is visually captivating, the environmental consequences are concerning. The metals and chemical compounds released during combustion do not simply disappear but remain in the environment, contributing to pollution.

As a result, the use of fireworks has come under scrutiny, with growing awareness of their detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Several countries have implemented policies to reduce the environmental impact of fireworks, exploring alternatives such as drone and laser displays that offer a safer and more environmentally friendly option for celebrations.

Fireworks can cause wildfires, which further damage habitats and worsen air quality

Fireworks are a major source of air pollution, releasing a host of contaminants that affect air quality and contribute to climate change. These include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. The combustion of fireworks also releases metal atoms and aerosols that pollute the soil and water.

For example, during the 2021 Fourth of July celebrations in the US state of Utah, a wildfire started following a firework show in Centerville, an area already prone to wildfires. This led to the evacuation of almost 100 households. Similarly, in June 2021, a firework caused a fire that burned through 100 acres of grassland in Idaho's Ada County.

The risk of wildfires from fireworks is not limited to the immediate impact of the display. Research has shown that the number of wildfires recorded on July 5, the day after Independence Day celebrations in the US, is nearly twice as high as on any other day in the West. This is attributed to the large number of fireworks mishaps and campfires during the celebrations.

To reduce the environmental impact of fireworks and the risk of wildfires, some places have implemented policies and greener alternatives. Salt Lake City in Utah, for instance, has started substituting some of its fireworks with lasers during Independence Day celebrations to reduce the risk of wildfires and air pollution. Drones have also been used in some counties as a safer alternative to fireworks, although they have been met with mixed reactions.

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