Starting a new year can be costly. The Germans, for example, send 100 to 200 million euros ($ 240 million) of smoke every New Year’s Eve, as spectacular fireworks illuminate the sky above towns and cities across the country. .
But the annual tradition also has an environmental cost, as each rocket releases a toxic mixture of chemicals and particles into the air.
What is really hidden inside the fireworks?
“Each rocket consists of 75 percent potassium nitrate, 15 percent charcoal and 10 percent sulfur,” said Günter Klein-Sommer, a chemist and pyrotechnician, at a recent conference on the chemistry of pyrotechnics at the University of Cologne.
Depending on the desired effects, other components could be added, including copper, barium or strontium compounds. These end up staining the fireworks blue, green or red.
All of these chemicals require a lot of energy to produce, only to disappear in a matter of seconds, critics have argued.
Toxic trace
In 2016, fireworks produced 5,000 tons of particles (PM10 – particles less than 10 microns in diameter) in Germany alone, according to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). This amount corresponds to approximately 17 percent of the vehicle’s annual particulate emissions.
Most of this fine toxic dust occurs in an hour or two during New Year’s fireworks shows, especially in large urbanized areas such as cities. The small dust particles are invisible to the naked eye and the UBA has warned that these small particles are particularly harmful to health.
Read more: UNICEF: Polluted air threatens millions of babies
The fireworks industry, meanwhile, continues to claim that it is not as bad as it seems. Fritz Keller, environmental consultant for the German Association of the Pyrotechnic Industry (IPV), said particulate pollution in the traffic sector cannot be grouped with pollution caused by fireworks.
Most particles released by diesel vehicles, for example, consist of soot carcinogenic particles, which have a negative effect on soil and plants and human health.
“On the contrary, in fireworks particles consist mainly of salts. This is completely different in terms of chemistry,” Keller said.
For example, when black powder is burned, potassium carbonate remains, basically a white salt. In the past, people used potassium carbonate to fertilize and protect crops from frost damage.
However, health experts have advised against directly inhaling the smoke left after a fireworks display, with research often showing that it can cause respiratory problems and aggravate asthma.
Short-term charging
The amount of time the particles remain in the air after a fireworks display depends on several factors. Strong winds, for example, help disperse pollution quite quickly. The UBA highlighted the difference a windy day can make when comparing New Year’s Eve celebrations in 2009 and 2013. Rain can also have an effect.
Chemist Klein-Sommer also noted that while the concentration of particles on New Year’s Eve is much higher, levels tend to drop rapidly to normal on January 2nd.
“Given that all Germans contribute about 25 grams of CO2 through fireworks, but up to 33,000 grams of CO2 through driving and heating, New Year’s Eve hardly matters,” he said.
What about garbage and noise?
The passion for fireworks on New Year’s Eve not only leaves a trail of toxic dust. Once the fun is over, parts and packaging are left, often scattered on the street, in the gardens, on the water and on the rooftops.
Rocket shells and packaging account for between 60 and 75 percent of fireworks and usually consist of cardboard, wood, clay and plastic.
“We’re really trying to take care of the environment,” said Klaus Gotzen, head of the VPI. “But our efforts are usually limited by legal requirements.” He points out, for example, that blisters and rocket covers are essential for safety reasons. “These are guidelines that are supposed to prevent accidental lighting of several items at once,” he said.
Gotzen believes the greenest alternative is battery-powered fireworks, a set of stringed rockets that produces less waste and is safer.
“With these, you have all the fireworks in one package,” he said, noting that the set should only be turned on once to cause a chain reaction that illuminates the rest. This means less waste and, above all, it is safer.
