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Working Towards an Eco-Friendly Fireworks Display

Posted by Soulskill on from the patriotism-through-making-things-explode dept.

phobos13013 writes "Here's an article just in time for 4th of July fireworks shows! The ACS's Chemical and Engineering News provides a fairly technical discussion about the hazardous chemicals in modern fireworks displays. Perchlorate is currently the oxidizer of choice in fireworks, but it is also known to be a thyroid blocker. Since perchlorates are water-soluble anions, they dissolve into groundwater quickly. A study performed last summer over a lake in Ada, Oklahoma showed that less than a day after a fireworks display, the lake's chlorate levels jumped by a factor of 1,000. It took weeks for the levels to drop back down to their baseline. On the other hand, heavy metals are used to produce the pretty colors typically associated with the best fireworks. The trend is to start using nitrogen-based oxidizing fireworks; they produce less smoke, which means a smaller amount of colorizing agents can be used in displays."

9 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Really? by NuclearError · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just in time? I just finished burning all of my fireworks. Maybe in time for next year...

    --
    Nuclear engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets.
  2. *pout* by Perseid · · Score: 4, Funny

    But if they can only set off green fireworks that'll make for a pretty boring show.

    1. Re:*pout* by the_other_one · · Score: 4, Funny

      Several hundred acres of burning rain forest would be pretty exciting.

      --
      134340: I am not a number. I am a free planet!
  3. PETA won't be satisfied by kunwon1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    They want to get rid of fireworks completely because they scare dogs.

    --
    Specialization is for insects. -Heinlein
    1. Re:PETA won't be satisfied by rubycodez · · Score: 1, Funny

      PETA activists need therapy. rubbing them with bacon and putting them in a room with junkyard dogs would do wonders for their attitude on dog rights

  4. Pff. by FlyingSquidStudios · · Score: 2, Funny

    Polluting the environment and fireworks are the two things America does best. Why do you hate us?

    --
    http://twitter.com/OLDTELEGRAM
  5. Green Fireworks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm all for being environmentally friendly and all, but green fireworks would get old after awhile.

  6. Re:Wonder NO more! by chromatic · · Score: 3, Funny

    In fact, most places strongly prefer to shoot fireworks off over water - because there is no chance of catching the water on fire.

    Not Cleveland, then?

    --
    how to invest, a novice's guide
  7. Re:Biodegradable bullets is next by Smidge204 · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's why I buy only depleted uranium shot loads!

    =Smidge=