FIREPLAY – TOXIC GASES IN FIREWORKS

From early 70s it has become a tradition among people to light fireworks to celebrate cultural and religious festivals or other ceremonies. Most of us are aware that fireworks are dangerous and lots of people end up at hospitals due to fireworks during festive seasons. Yet, the people who engage in lighting them or the observers have never stopped to think about the environmental damage and health impacts caused by fireworks. Factories and vehicles release toxic gases when they run too. But we can’t stop them because they are directly involved with economy. At least can’t we stop lighting fireworks to protect the environment to some extent?

TOXIC ELEMENTS IN FIREWORKS

In addition to carbon and sulfur all fireworks contain substances such as arsenic, manganese, sodium oxalate, aluminum, iron dust, potassium perchlorate, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, oxidizers and added colors. Burning of fireworks releases a large number of toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide [SO2], carbon dioxide [CO2], carbon monoxide [CO]. Fireworks also release a large amount of particulate matter [PM] such as aluminum, manganese and cadmium. All of these gases and matters are pollutants and they are more or less harmful for every living being.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THEM

According to the health experts these harmful gases and matter poison the atmosphere and the water bodies when mixed with them. They can cause a variety of short-term and long-term harmful reactions to the exposers ranging from vomiting, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, asthma, kidney disease, cardiotoxic effects to cancers.

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)

Air quality index is the system that warns public when the air is polluted. The values range from 0 to 500. Above 301 is classified as severe that can be affected seriously to healthy individuals as well as those with existing respiratory diseases. It is everyone's responsibility to keep the air quality below that level.



By Gunaratne Gamage 

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