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Sydney new years fireworks hd 20175/29/2023 ![]() Rocket shells and packaging make up around 60 to 75 percent of a firework, and usually consist of cardboard, wood, clay and plastic. After the fun is over, component parts and packaging are left behind, often scattered on the street, in gardens, in water and on roofs. ![]() The passion for fireworks on New Year's Eve doesn't only leave a trace of toxic dust. "Considering that every German contributes around 25 grams of CO2 through fireworks, but as much as 33,000 grams of CO2 through driving and heating, New Year's Eve hardly matters," he said. Rain can also have an effect.Ĭhemist Klein-Sommer also pointed out that although the concentration of particulate matter on New Year's Eve is much higher, levels are usually quick to drop back to normal on January 2. Strong wind, for instance, helps disperse the pollution rather quickly. The UBA highlighted the difference a windy day can make in a comparison between New Year's celebrations in 20. The amount of time particulate matter remains in the air after a fireworks display depends on several factors. Nevertheless, 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. In the past, people used potassium carbonate to fertilize and protect crops from frost damage. That's something completely different in terms of chemistry," Keller said.įor instance, when black powder burns, potassium carbonate remains - basically a white salt. "In fireworks, on the contrary, particulate matter consists mainly of salts. Most of the particulate matter released from diesel vehicles, for example, consists of sooty carcinogenic particles, which have a negative effect on soil and plants - and human health. The fireworks industry, for its part, continues to maintain that it's not as bad as it seems. Fritz Keller, an environmental consultant with the German Association of the Pyrotechnic Industry (VPI), said particulate pollution from the traffic sector can't be lumped together with the pollution caused by fireworks. Read more: UNICEF: Contaminated air threatens millions of babies The tiny dust particles are invisible to the naked eye, and the UBA has warned these small particles are particularly harmful to health. Most of this fine toxic dust is produced in the span of one or two hours during New Year's Eve fireworks displays, especially in large built-up areas such as cities. This amount corresponds to about 17 percent of the annual vehicle particulate emissions. ![]() In 2016, fireworks produced 5,000 tons of particulate matter (PM10 - particles measuring less than 10 microns in diameter) in Germany alone, according to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). LudwigĪll of these chemicals require high amounts of energy to be produced, only to fizzle out in a few short seconds, critics have argued. These end up coloring the fireworks blue, green or red. "Each rocket consists of about 75 percent potassium nitrate, 15 percent charcoal and 10 percent sulfur," said Günter Klein-Sommer, a chemist and pyrotechnist, speaking at a recent lecture on the chemistry of pyrotechnics at the University of Cologne.ĭepending on the desired effects, other components might be added, including copper, barium or strontium compounds. Germans, for instance, send €100 to 200 million ($240 million) up in smoke every New Year's Eve, as spectacular fireworks displays light up the sky above villages and cities across the country.īut the annual tradition also has an environmental cost, with each rocket releasing a toxic mix of chemicals and particulates into the air. ![]()
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