Fireworks: Cheap Thrills & Toxic Consequences

Each year, people across the nation mark the Fourth of July with festive fireworks. While the spectacular sparklers may be mesmerizing, research shows that the cheap thrill is accompanied by some toxic consequences.

According to an article published by the European Respiratory Society, all fireworks contain carbon and sulfur, which are necessary for burning. They’re also packed with a long list of toxic substances like arsenic, manganese, sodium oxalate, aluminum, iron dust powder, potassium perchlorate, strontium nitrate and barium nitrate, which act as stabilizers, oxidizers and add colors.

When lit, fireworks release a large amount of air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) along with several metal salts including aluminum, manganese, and cadmium. All of these have been linked to poor respiratory health, especially among children.

From our partner

How do you feel about pharmaceutical companies? Click here to let your voice be heard...

Persons suffering from asthma, are particularly at risk, researchers from the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), say. The dangers can be frightening. So much so, that experts advise asthmatics to avoid exposure altogether.

Then, there’s the fact that firework-related injuries have been at an all-time high – the worst in at least 15 years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports.

In 2015, 11 people died while using fireworks. An estimated 11,900 people were also treated at a hospital for firework-related injuries. According to the report, about 67 percent of those accidents occurred in the 30 days before and after Fourth of July festivities.

Other CPSC findings included:

From our partner

If You or Someone You Love has Kidney Cancer, Learn More About These Studies

• Of the 11 deaths, nine of those involved misused re-loadable fireworks, often trying to hold them when they fired, either on their head or in their hands.
• The other two deaths involved homemade fireworks, which are often packed with more explosive power than permitted under law.
• Teenagers ages 15 to 19-years-old had the highest rate of injuries, followed by children ages 5 to 9-years-old.
• Hands and fingers were the most-injured body parts (32 percent); followed by the head, face and ears (an estimated 25 percent); eyes (an estimated 16 percent); legs (an estimated 15 percent); and arms (an estimated 4 percent).

How to Enjoy Fireworks More Safely

Because laws surrounding what can be purchased and used across state lines have become more lax – not to mention there’s been a rise in social media content detailing ridiculous ways to get the most bang for your buck (literally) — experts suggest that the only way to cut back on said injuries, especially among children, is prevention.

• Opt for public displays. Using fireworks at-home leaves the door open to the unpredictable. In other words, leave it up to the professionals!
• Never wear loose clothing, or light fireworks indoors, near dry grass, brush, leaves and flammable substances.
• Always keep an eye on the children. After all, little hands like to put little things in their mouths.
• Have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher on hand in the event of an emergency.
• If you have an accident, seek medical treatment immediately.