Could the future hold 'greener' fireworks?
ONE of my guilty pleasures is watching firework displays – I will probably attend at least one over the weekend.
I have long thought that the lighting of bonfires on November 5, is a nightmare in air pollution terms, but have been in denial about the pollution caused by fireworks.
Fireworks contain different compounds of various metals that produce the bright colours when ignited.
It is suspected that the fallout produced by fireworks may cause pollution, especially to surface and ground water.
The main pollutants of concern are a group of compounds known as perchlorates, which are also found in fertilisers and, intriguingly, as a natural product of lightning.
Perchlorates are soluble and highly mobile in water, and are linked with the inhibition of the uptake of iodine in the thyroid.
Scientists in the United States have suggested the link between firework displays and perchlorate levels in water bodies by studying concentrations before and after public displays.
Other pollutants from fireworks are also linked with respiratory complaints, such as asthma, although to what extent has not been verified.
Although pollution from fireworks is not wholly understood or quantifiable, scientists have been working on "green" fireworks, which are based on the high temperatures associated with the formation of nitrogen-rich compounds.
Salts of nitrogen with non-toxic metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium could be used giving red, orange and violet colours respectively.
Ironically, the colour which is likely to create the biggest challenge for so-called green fireworks is green itself!
Realistically, copper may still need to be used for these types of fireworks.
So, I shall probably be watching the firework displays this weekend with a certain amount of guilt, but with some hope that in the near future an affordable eco-friendly version will be available.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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