Fireworks Harm Environment, Health
Gases Emitted Contribute to Global Warming, May Harm Health
Fireworks damage our air and can potentially cause cancer.
Celebrations and parades worldwide are capped off with fireworks, a bursting display of reds, blues, yellows and purples littered amorously across the night sky. With each blast, chemicals are released into the air that are damaging to our health and environment.
These chemicals include barium, an extremely poisonous acid that can affect the nervous system, antimony, a toxic compound that can cause dizziness and lead, which can make its way into drinking water and cause potential irregularities in nervous connections.
The colours that each firework so brilliantly exhibits are added using these highly noxious metal salts. All of these chemicals linger in the air long after the show has faded and have been listed as potential causes for cancer, according to the environment.about.com article, "Declare Your Independence From Toxic Fireworks Pollution."
Disney could, at first glance, be regarded as one of the main tyrants by non-profit organizations that are adamant in their attempt to ban fireworks. At Disneyworld and Disneyland, daily parades are concluded with spectacular displays of pyrotechnics, however, their scientists have developed fireworks that use compressed air to burst rather than gunpowder. Disney claims that this eases the effects on the environment.
Eighteen-year-old Shannon Cattani also believes that fireworks should be banned, "The toxic chemicals emitted by fireworks are environmentally devastating. Instead of fireworks people could light candles, or use the example that Disney has set. All governments can to do is educate people and hope they stop using them. Obviously the majority won't listen, but if a few do, it's a start."
Michael Page, an avid environmentalist, has been lobbying for the abolishment of fireworks for nearly three years, he believes that Disney is on the right track, "Disney has definitely taken a step in the right direction. Their environmentally-friendly fireworks, if made available to the public, will surely help our planet breathe easier."
The only issue is, how long will it take for the mass producers of fireworks to adopt the chemical makeup of Disney's rockets and pinwheels? The unfortunate truth is that this brand of fireworks is very expensive for manufacturers to produce and production would cause the price of firecrackers used domestically to rise, something consumers would not be thrilled about.
The final decision remains with the citizens and what they value more, the cleanliness of the air breathed, or a few seconds of visual euphoria. These fireworks, when mixed with other pollutants, cause devastating damage and can sometimes even enter the drinking water of a community. They also emit gases that could potentially increase the already ruinous effects of global warming, as reported by the environment.about.com article, "Declare Your Independence From Toxic Fireworks Pollution."
"There are various ways for people to get rebel against this pollution," says Page, "starting a petition and sending it to your local MP is just one of many ways to be responsible as a global citizen and help our planet breath easier."
