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Although somewhat breath-taking visually, holiday fireworks do contain health-harming chemical compounds. Independence Day fireworks release particles that create a temporary health threat to those with sensitive respiratory systems. Except for people who have asthma, or are very sensitive to chemicals, few of us are aware that lighting fireworks can pose respiratory harm.
In addition, safety advocates point to the numerous physical injuries and accidental fires caused by fireworks. Each year, thousands of people are treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries, with most injuries occurring on or in the days surrounding the July 4th holiday. Most injuries involve the hands and face and many injuries involve children.
Pollutant Powder
Even when fireworks displays are left to professionals, pollutants from fireworks can pose risks. Fireworks produce dust and smoke that contain various chemical compounds depending on the amount of gunpowder used and the ingredients of a particular firework.
“The air quality monitors spike for about three hours after the fireworks displays,” says Randy Mosier of Maryland Department of the Environment’s Air Quality Planning and Monitoring Programs. “There are high concentrations of fine particulate matter during those spikes, but the concentrations tend to disperse quickly.
The creation of fireworks is a complex endeavor of physical and chemical science. Gunpowder, or black powder containing charcoal, is mixed with sulfur compounds and potassium nitrate to send the fireworks into the air while the colorful explosions are produced from various chemical compounds. For example, blues are produced from copper compounds, reds from strontium compounds and greens from barium compounds.
The smoke and dust from these exploded compounds may affect people with asthma or chemical sensitivities. Those who are sensitive may want to watch large displays from a safe distance where they will not be immediately affected by exposure to the smoke and dust.
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