Firework Ingredients and their Dangers

Fireworks are composed of many different elements, each contributing to the noise, color or propellant. While these ingredients combine to form a beautiful spectacle, many of them are very dangerous. Heres a list of a few common firework ingredients, their use, and what makes them so dangerous.

Toxic Element Fireworks Usage Toxic Effect of Fallout Dust & Fumes

Lead Nitrate/Dioxide/Chloride oxidizer Bioaccumulation; developmental danger for children and the unborn; may remain airborne for days; poisonous to plants and animals

Barium glittering greens Extremely poisonous, radioactive

Lithium blazing reds Slightly toxic

Rubidium purple colors Slightly radioactive; can replace calcium in body

Strontium blazing reds Can replace calcium in body; can be radioactive

Copper compounds blues Dioxin pollution

Aluminum brilliant whites Contact dermatitis

Ammonium Perchlorate propellant Can contaminate ground and surface waters; can disrupt thyroid functions

Cadmium firework colors Extremely toxic, carcinogenic; can bioaccumulate

Potassium Nitrate in black powder Toxic dusts, carcinogenic sulfur-coal compounds

Sulfur Dioxide gaseous byproduct of sulfur combustion Acid rain from sulphuric acid affects water sources, vegetation and causes property damage

The Effects Fireworks have on You and Nature

The fallout of these different chemicals can affect you both directly and indirectly. Once a firework explodes in the sky, it does many things. The gases from the rocket and the explosion are released into the atmosphere, where they are inhaled by humans and animals, and hurt the ozone layer. In addition to the gases, the debris and burning metals fall back to earth where they litter the area, contaminate aquatic ecosystems, and poison the wildlife, eventually working their way up the food chain.

How Phosphorus in Fireworks Impacts the Water

It has taken years to determine the dangers associated with the many ingredients in fireworks. Up until very recently, phosphorous (also found in fertilizers) was highly popular in fireworks until the realization of its associated problems to the environment. Although most manufacturers no longer incorporate more than trace amounts of phosphorus in fireworks, every little bit added to a lake can influence water quality. Phosphorus accelerates a process called eutrophication, which is the process that results in increased biomass, decreased lake clarity, decreased bottom oxygen, and increases the likelihood of cyanobacteria scums. Algal and cyanobacteria blooms caused by phosphorus introductions impact fisheries, drinking water supplies and impact the health of people who recreate in the waters as well as pets and any animal that drinks these waters.

The Final Impact

Altogether the damaging effect fireworks have is overwhelming. They impact water quality by affecting the odor and taste of drinking water. On the economic side, excessive algal and cyanobacteria growth due to phosphorus or contamination due to firework fallout increases water treatment costs, degrades fishing and boating activities, and impacts tourism and property values. The cost of damage done to property, the litter and the effect upon both wildlife and human life is incalculable. The Department of Environmental Services urges you to consider the effects of fireworks and perhaps find an alternative to a problem that is only growing with time.