Ban fireworks to save the planet
04.07.2009
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The detonation of fireworks releases many toxic compounds into the atmosphere, including sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, potassium nitrate, nitrogen dioxide, heavy metals, and ozone. The color-producing ingredients of fireworks include potentially toxic elements such as strontium, titanium, mercury, lead, antimony, barium, copper, aluminum, and lithium, and also various chemicals which combine to produce deadly chlorine gas. The use of fireworks contributes to the production of smog, acid rain, water pollution, and noise pollution. The carbon dioxide that is released by fireworks may also contribute to Global Warming.
With all of the concern that has been generated by the threat of carbon dioxide-caused Global Warming, and considering that many governments are proclaiming that everyone should do whatever they can to 'reduce their carbon footprint', it surprises me that governments and citizens continue to indulge in fireworks displays, which are an enormously wasteful and unnecessary greenhouse-gas-generating activity. Could it be that those governments and those citizens are not really sincere about reducing their carbon dioxide emissions and saving the planet?
