14 DAY TRIAL // A new study led by researchers from the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), concluded that the metallic particles within the smoke produced by fireworks can cause serious health issues, especially to people suffering from asthma.
The research focused on the San Juan fiestas – 23/24 June, 2008, in the Spanish city of Girona, AlphaGalileo reports.
The levels of over 30 chemical elements and compounds were analyzed in May and June, to confirm that any variations in lead, copper, strontium, potassium and magnesium levels, were caused by the fireworks.
In other cities, the situation was similar; in the Las Fallas fiestas in Valencia, for example, during the Mascletà (18 March), the levels of these chemicals rose again, and so did the levels of aluminum, titanium, barium and antimony, and concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Previous studies have concluded that the smoke caused by the fireworks, rises the concentration of metallic particles over cities like L'Alcora and Borriana (Castellón), Barcelona and even London (UK) during the Guy Fawkes' Night celebrations.
Teresa Moreno, a researcher from the IDAEA (CSIC) and lead author of a study that has been published this week in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, told SINC that “people who live in cities already inhale significant amounts of contaminant particles stemming from traffic emissions, chimneys and cigarettes, and the dense smoke caused by fireworks only worsens this situation.
“The toxicological research has shown that many of the metallic particles in the smoke from fireworks are bio-reactive and can affect human health.”
In order to obtain colorful fireworks, metals are added to the gunpowder, and when a fireworks explodes, it releases a lot of smoke, along with minute metallic particles, of a few microns in size, or even less, small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs.
Moreno explains that “this poses a risk to health, and the effects are probably more acute in people with a background of asthma or cardiovascular problems.
“The effects in healthy people are still unknown, but common sense tells us it cannot be good to inhale the high levels of metallic particles in this smoke, even if this only happens a few times a year.”
The researcher says that this is just like the problem with tobacco: “the less you expose yourself to the smoke, the fewer negative effects it will have on your health, and so the best solution is to avoid inhaling it.”
And as fireworks are completely legal and will probably not be banned sometime in the near future, all spectators should keep their distance and pay attention to the direction of the wind.
Researchers also recommend that fireworks display should be sited so that the plume of smoke won't reach densely populated areas.
The study was led by researchers from the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, and was published this week in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.