Fireworks have long been a staple of numerous holiday festivities. As a kid, I was mesmerized by these bright balls of flame and light, and I would stay up late on holidays to watch them erupt over the harbor. Since their invention more than two thousand years ago in China, they have been ubiquitous in celebrations, from National Days to the recent New Year, and for good reason — they’re loud, colorful, and flashy, perfect for crowds and to end off festivities, literally, with a bang.
However, while fireworks offer a dazzling way to celebrate important dates and occasions, it’s also important to consider the detrimental impacts of huge aerial explosions and to find alternatives. Of particular concern are consumer fireworks bought and set off recreationally by non-professional individuals and groups, where stricter regulations are required. To understand their effects, we must first understand what fireworks are made of. Their main ingredient is black powder, also known as gunpowder — made from a mixture of 75 percent potassium nitrate, 15 percent charcoal, and ten percent sulfur — which is put in a shell and ignited to create a chemical reaction. Further chemicals are mixed into this gunpowder to give the firework color, such as strontium for red and barium for green, while chemicals such as carbon and manganese may be added to the fireworks as stabilizers, oxidizers, and extra colors.
Such compounds, when burned, release pollutants that linger in the air we breathe. Each of these compounds damages the environment and human health in numerous ways. Particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny solid and liquid particles that combine to form a toxic haze that damages the environment as well as respiratory and cardiovascular health. These tiny particles, capable of penetrating our lungs, increase the risk of illnesses such as asthma and heart disease. In India, fireworks cause particulate matter in the air to increase more than 35 times on celebration days compared to days without fireworks. In Delhi, 900 micrograms of particulate matter were recorded per cubic meter of air during a firework-filled festival, well above the five micrograms recommended by the World Health Organization guidelines. Similar results were recorded in other parts of the world, such as London.
The emission of PMs is just the tip of the iceberg regarding pollutants caused by fireworks. More than 60,340 tons of carbon dioxide are produced by these colorful explosions in the United States alone each year, speeding up global warming and climate change. Numerous heavy metals, such as cadmium, a known carcinogen, are released into the air despite being toxic to humans and wildlife. Toxic chemicals such as perchlorate, which damages the thyroid gland and affects wildlife growth, were also recorded in substantially elevated quantities following fireworks shows. Many such toxins can never fully decompose, contaminating air, land, and bodies of water for years afterward.
Then, there is the noise pollution. Reaching up to 150 decibels, the explosive sounds of fireworks affect wildlife, pets, and humans alike. Many animals get frightened and traumatized by the noise and bright flashes that fireworks generate, causing them to abandon their habitats, which disrupts their survival instincts and can lead to devastating or even fatal health effects from stress. Birds, for example, see the harsh sounds and lights of fireworks as threats, forcing many to abandon their nests and flee en masse towards far-off locations such as the sea, where they might not have enough energy to make the return flight. This contributed to hundreds of starlings being found dead on the streets of Rome in 2021 following a particularly loud display of firecrackers and fireworks. Wild animals may run into roadways due to fright-induced panic reactions, resulting in increased road accidents. Even invertebrates show altered behaviors in response to the disturbances caused by fireworks and the chemical toxins left behind. Debris left behind from fireworks is also often mistakenly consumed by wildlife or can even start fires in dry or forested areas.
Given its impacts on the environment, wildlife, and human health, the use of fireworks must be curtailed or at least more carefully examined by governing bodies. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, 428.8 million pounds of fireworks were consumed in 2021 in the United States alone, of which 416.3 million pounds were consumer fireworks, set off without professional supervision. However, numerous more environmentally friendly alternatives to fireworks exist, including pyrotechnic displays, silent “green” fireworks, light shows, and, of course, drones. Many cities and countries have already begun replacing fireworks with such displays to great effect. A ban on fireworks in Beijing, for instance, helped the city record its best air quality for Lunar New Year’s Eve in 2022. Even attending public professional fireworks displays is preferable to setting off your own, as it reduces pollution and ensures more professional standards. While it may be difficult to let go of something that has become such a part of celebratory culture, the protection of our health and environment should take priority over entertainment. Perhaps it is finally time to “fire” fireworks and embrace something new.
