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by Eric Goldstein
FIREWORKS. We love them. Everyone loves them. It’s Beautiful. It’s a TRADITION. It’s MEMORABLE. (It’s also not good for us).
They inspire wonderment from all of us, of all ages – all around the country. But you have to think, when watching such amazing – awe-inspiring pyro-tainment – that “This can’t be good for the environment.” So, if any of you are interested in fireworks and the impact they have on us and our world, here is a lite overview of the technology and the necessary change occurring in the technology and tradition.
In 2006, 252 million pounds were purchased for the 4th, (which is up from 102 million lbs in 2000). To give you some perspective – the amount sold to cities + municipalities for public celebrations last year was 25 million pounds.
Then there are perchlorates — oxygen-rich molecules that allow the fuel in fireworks to burn. Perchlorates appear in nuclear missiles, flares and rocket fuel for spacecraft. So far, the Environmental Protection Agency has not set an upper limit for perchlorates in soil or water, even though the chemicals have been detected in drinking water in most states, as well as in breast milk and in store-bought cow’s milk.
Are They Going Green Too?
Yes! Eco-fireworks are coming soon. (especially for those living close or downwind from big firework displays). The main improvement is replacing carbon-based fuels with nitrogen-based ones, so that perchlorates become unnecessary. There are also the air-launch fireworks which don’t use gunpowder to get the explosive charge into the air.