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What’s red, white and blue, but not particularly green? The answer is Fourth of July fireworks.
It comes as no surprise that explosions, and the chemicals that cause them, aren’t good for the environment. But several innovations are in the works that will make fireworks less harmful.
Fireworks and flares both contain potassium perchlorate, which gives them the oxygen they need to burn. But this chemical is a known environmental pollutant, with the potential to harm people and wildlife. Fireworks also contain other materials, such as the heavy metals that produce their colors, that can cause ecological damage as they disperse after the blasts.
Perchlorate is a particular concern as source of water pollution, and firework displays that are set off over lakes or rivers are coming under scrutiny. For example, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recently detected perchlorate in eleven state drinking water supplies, including three public water supply wells, and they concluded that nearby fireworks displays appear to be a source of the contamination.
Among other recommendations to address this problem, MassDep is asking fireworks contractors to request low or no-perchlorate-containing fireworks.
And these eco-friendly fireworks do exist. According to PhysOrg.com, new pyrotechnic formulas are being developed which use nitrogen-rich formulas in place of potassium perchlorate to burn cleaner and produce less smoke. These new fireworks also produce fewer color-producing chemicals, which cuts down on the release of heavy metals contamination.
Although these fireworks are beginning to be used at some concerts and other events, they aren’t being seen in large outdoor displays yet because of their increased cost. And contractors have little incentive to purchase these more expensive products, since there are no federal regulations concerning perchlorate contamination resulting from fireworks.
Fireworks are slowly getting greener in other ways, though. The Walt Disney Company has pioneered a gunpowder-free, compressed-air launch method for the lift-off of their firework displays, significantly reducing ground-level smoke and noise.
And a Japanese firm has developed a biodegradable firework shell, a safer and more environmentally-friendly alternative to the cinders and shrapnel that are dispersed when conventional fireworks explode.
What can consumers do to promote greener ways to have fun on the Fourth? One option is to pressure firework contractors to use perchlorate-free pyrotechnics, or ask community organizers to substitute laser light shows for firework displays.
Closer to home, consider skipping personal firework displays this year and instead center your Fourth of July celebrations around neighborhood picnics, parades, concerts and other non-explosive activities.
You can have fun on the Fourth without fireworks, at least until safer and cleaner fireworks are a staple of outdoor displays and firework stands. After all, what could be more patriotic than protecting the environment to keep America beautiful for future generations?
Have a happy Fourth of July!
For more info: “Fireworks Displays Linked To Perchlorate Contamination In Lakes,” Science Daily, May 28, 2007.
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