Ocean & Beaches Pollution
A study from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services determined that fireworks contaminate local lakes and the chemicals that land in the water are noted as harmful can negatively impact water quality. A common chemical that is released in fireworks is ammonium perchlorate, which is known to contaminate ground and surface waters, and can cause harm to aquatic creatures residing in lakes. Further, copper compounds, sulfur dioxide, lead nitrate and lead chloride are released when fireworks are let off, and can be a hazard to the environment.
Additionally, firework debris pollutes our ocean and can adversely impact water quality, air quality and wildlife through debris and toxic contamination pollution
Leftover trash from fireworks can pose major risks to marine animals when it enters the ocean. Both sea birds and marine animals can mistake debris for food. If ingested, it could result in a loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death.
It is not uncommon to find streets and beaches littered with the remnants of fireworks after the holiday. Pieces of plastic, fiberglass, paper, and cardboard that are not properly disposed of, can easily make their way to the beaches and the ocean to become marine debris.
Personal Fireworks cause Air Pollution
...My basic conclusion is that personal fireworks are the main cause of air pollution,” he said. “Community fireworks might contribute a little bit. But it's the personal fireworks that are the main source of such pollution.” - Cliff Mass University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences. Read the article here.
Air Pollution – IQAir Report
Fireworks are basically explosions of chemicals in solid form. Millions of combustion particles and gases are released into the air during these splashes of color on the sky. Many are also blown around for miles in atmospheric wind currents.
Fireworks generate huge concentrations of pollutants from colorants and explosives as well as from metals and fuses that make up the firework itself. PM pollutant concentrations can be up to eight times higher than normal in the hours right after a fireworks display
And even though fireworks only result in temporary increases in local air pollution, fireworks air pollution can travel for miles and cause bad air quality around the world, making the effects of air pollution more severe even in regions that never see a fireworks show. (Are Fireworks Bad for Air Pollution, on IQAir.com, June 29, 2022)
Fire Danger
According to the NFPA, fireworks start an average of 19,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. (NFPA, Fireworks Fires & Injuries, June 2020) The Eagle Creek Fire - 2017, in the Columbia River Gorge, in Oregon, was ignited by fireworks. The blaze burned for three months and burned over 48,000 acres. (Wikipedia.org) Fireworks have proven to be an ignition source for fires on Whidbey Island on several occasions, and what we are asking is that the public understand the threat, make good choices, and, partake in professional 4th of July firework displays offered by local towns or Island County.
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