Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or
confetti cannons

Date:
Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:04:18 +0000

Description:
Fourth of July revelers played in confetti at a party in Boston in 2017. Nicholas Pfosi for The Boston Globe via Getty Images Greener, safer alternatives to festive explosives are becoming more popular. The post Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or
confetti cannons appeared first on Popular Science .

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Fourth of July revelers played in confetti at a party in Boston in 2017. Nicholas Pfosi for The Boston Globe via Getty Images

During all sorts of major celebrations, people around the world often anticipate the bursts of color and sounds of crackling explosions of
fireworks displays . But no matter how entertaining they are, their environmental impacts should not be overlooked. Each firework shoots off light, noise, and particulate pollution that may affect wildlife behavior and trigger respiratory problems, allergies, and PTSD in people . To avoid
harmful health and environmental effects, its important to explore greener, safer alternatives to fireworks. How fireworks affect the environment

The explosions you see in fireworks are chemical reactions. They contain oxidizers like perchlorates and nitrates that break down chemical bonds in
the fuel source , which could be charcoal-based. Metals like copper, strontium, and barium are added to produce color .

When fireworks explode, they release sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and heavy metals into the atmosphere, says Gwen OSullivan , an environmental chemist and department chair of earth and environmental science at Mount
Royal University in Canada. They can rapidly deteriorate air quality , especially in areas with concentrated displays. Inhaling these pollutants can be particularly harmful to people with respiratory conditions , OSullivan adds.

A 2015 study in the journal Atmospheric Environment found that Fourth of July fireworks increase particulate matter concentrations by an average of 42 percent across the US. Although the levels generally diminish the next day, the temporary increase in air pollution can be dangerous.

These substances can be deposited from the atmosphere into water bodies, causing adverse effects on aquatic life and overall water quality, says OSullivan. Some chemicals, like perchlorate, may leach into water bodies and be absorbed by plants. They can then possibly be consumed by wildlife and enter the food chain.

[Related: How to comfort pets and babies during fireworks ]

Aside from releasing chemicals into the environment, fireworks are also a source of short-term sound and light disturbance. Over the years, New Years Eve fireworks in Europe have been observed to cause a variety of impacts on bird life, including a sharp and sudden decline in Eurasian magpies roost size, a 26 to 35 percent drop overnight in swan, goose, and duck numbers on Lake Zurich, and the evacuation of thousands of birds in the Netherlands. The ecological impacts of firework noise may also influence wildlife breeding outcomes.

While light and sound can be fleeting, they still have a profound effect on wildlife and [on] us, says Bill Bateman , associate professor in the School
of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University in Australia. The air [pollution] and subsequent soil and water pollution can be considerable and long lasting. Fireworks rockets at a manufacturers storage facility in Germany. Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images Safer firework alternatives for any holiday

With all the emotions and nostalgia surrounding fireworks shows, it can be challenging for people to explore other options, says OSullivan.
Choreographed light displays, like drone and laser shows, may preserve the visual allure of the celebrations. Drones are increasingly being used in
place of fireworks due to their advantages of producing no harmful smoke or chemicals, being reusable, and their ability to be programmed for intricate aerial formations, OSullivan adds. Places like Salt Lake City, Utah and Boulder, Colorado have replaced traditional fireworks displays with drone shows for the Fourth of July.

In India, some people are switching to green crackers , which refers to fireworks or firecrackers made with a smaller shell size and reduced usage of raw material in the overall composition. They may also involve the use of additives like dust suppressants that reduce emissions. These green crackers are estimated to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30 percent . However, manufacturing fireworks with lower levels of heavy metals and no perchlorate tends to be costly.

Additionally, although environmentally friendly fireworks that replace structural parts and chemical ingredients to reduce the release of smoke, metals, and perchlorates do emit fewer pollutants, their specific impact on air quality has not been thoroughly evaluated, says OSullivan. More research is necessary to look into the benefits of eco-friendly fireworks over conventional ones.

[Related: Host a sustainable affair with these environmentally-friendly tips ]

Simple party poppers or confetti cannons filled with biodegradable materials like water-soluble rice paper may be a more accessible, fitting replacement for fireworks. Families might also enjoy bubble guns, which are entertaining and dont leave any waste behind.

In general, there are plenty of alternatives to fireworks for those who are really eager to avoid their effects on the environment. If you cant quit fireworks altogether, Bateman says even just having shorter and fewer
displays will make a huge difference in making holidays safer and more peaceful for everyone.

The post Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns,
or confetti cannons appeared first on Popular Science . Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.



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Link to news story:
https://www.popsci.com/environment/fireworks-alternatives/


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