We all love the excitement of seeing the bright colors of fireworks as they burst into the night sky and draw oohs and aahs from the onlookers. For those observing from a lake or lake shore vantage point, it is especially thrilling. And now we learn that one of our favorite ways to celebrate the Fourth is frought with dangers for us, our loved ones and our lakes.
What follows is excerpts from an “Environmental Fact Sheet” published by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
“Fireworks are composed of many different elements, each contributing to the noise, color or propellant. While these ingredients combine to form a beautiful spectacle, many of them are very dangerous…”
“The Effects Fireworks have on You and Nature
The fallout of these different chemicals can affect you both directly
and indirectly. Once a firework explodes in the sky, it does many
things. The gases from the rocket and the explosion are released into
the atmosphere, where they are inhaled by humans and animals, and
hurt the ozone layer. In addition to the gases, the debris and burning
metals fall back to earth where they litter the area, contaminate
aquatic ecosystems, and poison the wildlife, eventually working their
way up the food chain.”
“How Phosphorus in Fireworks Impacts the Water
It has taken years to determine the dangers associated with the many ingredients in fireworks. Up
until very recently, phosphorous (also found in fertilizers) was highly popular in fireworks until
the realization of its associated problems to the environment. Although most manufacturers no
longer incorporate more than trace amounts of phosphorus in fireworks, every little bit added to a
lake can influence water quality. Phosphorus accelerates a process called eutrophication, which
is the process that results in increased biomass, decreased lake clarity, decreased bottom oxygen,
and increases the likelihood of cyanobacteria scums. Algal and cyanobacteria blooms caused by
phosphorus introductions impact fisheries, drinking water supplies and impact the health of
people who recreate in the waters as well as pets and any animal that drinks these waters.”
“The Final Impact
Altogether the damaging effect fireworks have is overwhelming. They impact water quality by
affecting the odor and taste of drinking water. On the economic side, excessive algal and
cyanobacteria growth due to phosphorus or contamination due to firework
fallout increases water treatment costs, degrades fishing and boating
activities, and impacts tourism and property values. The cost of damage
done to property, the litter and the effect upon both wildlife and human life
is incalculable. The Department of Environmental Services urges you to
consider the effects of fireworks and perhaps find an alternative to a
problem that is only growing with time.”
“For more information, please go to these links:
www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Falls/9200/toxic_fireworks.html
www.serconline.org/phosphorus/background.html””