A "Green" Fireworks show!

New Year's Eve is fast approaching and we all love to attend the parties, parades and watch the spectacular fireworks shows, seems to innocent right? Not so, New Year’s Eve fireworks can cause humans great health risks, not to mention animals, and our Mother Earth.

In July of 2009 scientists found that fireworks, although fun and usually free to watch, pose a great risk to human health. The smoke that is put out from fireworks can trigger asthma attacks, and sends toxic metals into the soil and water. Not only can the fireworks harm our lungs but the poisonous metal that makes the color white, is called Antimony and can harm the lungs, heart and stomach. Barium causes the green color in fireworks and can be toxic to the heart. Not only are fireworks bad for humans but of course, not good for our earth either. As you can imagine, all those metals flying through the air into our water and into our soil, takes its toll on our environment as well.

Scientists and researchers are working on a new generation of pyrotechnics. While still explosive and dramatic and fun, these fireworks produce less smoke and use fewer toxic metals that end up in soil and groundwater. We all know that not all people are on the eco-friendly fireworks bandwagon, but it would be great to encourage your neighborhood or area to go with the new Eco-friendly fireworks. They are a bit more pricey than the normal fireworks and it might be a little premature to expect your metroplex to use them yet, but now you know and you can help spread the word. You can contact the EPA to find out where to purchase.

Disneyland is on board as they do fireworks nightly. They are investigating cleaner burning fireworks and in 2004, Disney began using compressed air to launch fireworks at Disneyland in Anaheim and it reduces at least the issues of smoky particulates in the air and perchlorates in the water.

Although the eco-friendly fireworks will be hard to find at the present time, if you buy fireworks, ask for the low smoke fireworks, and make sure you follow firework safety tips.