Illustration: Fireworks cause air and water pollutions! What gives? Here is how. (Image via Britannica)

Fireworks may lead to air and water pollution: Study

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Business & Industry
Environmental Energy & Material
Dec 30, 2019
2017
New Year’s Day and fireworks are like the Tweedledum and Tweedledee; they can never be separated from each other. And, approaching the New Year’s Eve, certainly, you are preparing for a festive day with barbeque, drinks, and of course, fireworks. And, since it is to begin the year anew, the fireworks have to be as loud and as bright as possible!

However, scientists forewarned the world that too many fireworks might cause air pollution.

A study, published in The Ecologist, analyzed the results of thousands of fine particulate matter censors spread across Newcastle and Gateshead. Tom Wilkinson, the head author of the study, said that on 5 November, the censors caught triple measurement when bonfires and fireworks were lit between 8 p.m. and around midnight.

During the day, the censors caught 20 micrograms/m3. But before 11 p.m., the measurement quadrupled to 80 micrograms/m3. The World Health Organization (WHO) determines 10 micrograms/m3 as the safest level.

When asked for a solution, some policymakers said that air pollution would disperse thanks to the rain and wind.

Not only air pollution but also water pollution. Fireworks contain hazardous compounds and propellant. When the particles fall down to earth, it may contaminate the water system. In terms of environmental awareness, fireworks are made of wood, cut from the tress, and minerals mined from the mountain.

The study aims to monitor how countries interact with pollution and how are they going to handle it.

Source: https://bit.ly/2ZCKOgx

Environment , Health , Prevention , Climate-change , Global-warming , Fireworks , New-Year's-Day