"Fireworks" - should we have 'green' fireworks ?

This weekend, we will be witness to an explosion of fireworks all over the country. Some scientists say that after all the glitter up in the skies, some residual materials would drift down to earth and affect our water bodies and our ecosystem. 

The fireworks are created by combining a fuel source and an oxidizer. The fuel is generally some metal alloys and the oxidizer is generally perchlorate.  When combined, these create combustion reaction and explosion happens. This action produces high heat and the metal alloys in the fireworks produce color. These materials are shot up in the sky by using gunpowder.  

Dr. David E. Chavez, a chemist in the High explosive Science and Technology division of Los Alamos National Laboratory, says that both the perchlorate oxidizer and some colorizing heavy metals are toxic compounds.

Some of the materials that fall back to earth can enter the soil and water bodies. Perchlorate can be absorbed into thyroid glands and creates problems to fetuses.

In a study before and after the fireworks at a lake in Ada, Oklahoma, the water contained about 1,000 times more perchlorate after the fireworks. It took about 20 - 80 days before the concentration levels became normal.

The heavy metals that gives color in the fireworks is also toxic. These become aerosolized and we can breath them in. Some of this gets into the soil and water. One of the heavy metals, Barium, is used to produce green color. This may cause respiratory problems alongwith some other ailments. 

So how bad is the situation for once in a while thing ? It may be OK. But people who are regularly exposed to it in the theme parks, it may become an issue for them. At such places, some establishments, have started to use an eco-friendly pyrotechnics.  These places use perchlorate-free fireworks and also use one-tenth the amount od barium. These formulations use nitrocellulose as fuel and nitrates as oxidizer. This reaction produces only gases like carbon dioxide, water and nitroge. Very little of heavy metal particles are produced.

Thes eco-friendly fireworks are equally splashy and fun. Cost is the only draw back. It is more expensive though. So choice is to be made between what is good for us and the environment, and how extensive the  fireworks display is desired. Happy fourth of July to everyone.