Lighting up the sky, polluting the planet – what are the environmental impacts of fireworks?

A hallmark of major celebrations around the world, such as Diwali, New Year, Bonfire Night, and the Fourth of July, fireworks are a booming industry, with the revenue of consumer fireworks increasing beyond 232% over the past two decades. However, as society’s fascination with fireworks grows, it is important to recognise the environmental issues that lie beneath their spectacle.

Through combustion, fireworks open a pandora’s box of contaminants: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter, all negatively affecting air quality and contributing to climate change.

“Ecosystems are intricately interconnected; no element exists in isolation. Damage to the atmosphere, soil, and water manifests in local and distant environments.”

During Diwali in India, “about 50,000 tons, or 100 million pounds, of fireworks explode, causing a toxic haze to cover cities.” Toxic hazes are a common occurrence after firework displays, caused by the spread of particulate matter into the surrounding area. Particulate Matter is “a combination of minuscule solid and liquid substances found in the air”, considered to be the “most hazardous air pollutant” for its adverse effects on human health and environmental damage.

In addition to the production of air-borne particulate matter, fireworks increase levels of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide, gases that are toxic when inhaled. For example, Fourth of July displays account for an average of “42% more pollutants found in the air on July 4 and 5 than on a typical day.” 

Ecosystems are intricately interconnected; no element exists in isolation. Damage to the atmosphere, soil, and water manifests in local and distant environments. 

For instance, particulate matter, nitric oxide, and sulfur dioxide combine with oxygen, water, and other chemicals, are carried by wind to form acid rain. This phenomenon is hugely damaging to ecosystems, especially to aquatic and forested environments. Altering the nutrients in the soil, and the natural pH of water bodies, acid rain has “severe consequences on ecosystems.” 

As well as this, to produce the oxygen for the explosion, fireworks use oxidisers or perchlorates. Perchlorates dissolve in water to pollute habitats and drinking water, as well as harming the development of fish larvae.  

Besides chemical debris, fireworks produce microplastics that further degrade ecosystems. The Thames experienced a significant increase in microplastics after the 2019 New Year’s Eve firework display, with “over a 1000% increase” from the sample taken just before and after the fireworks.. When ingested, microplastics additionally harm wildlife.  

This stress is most apparent in our companion animals- the terror of a pet dog being clear to us. What remains unseen is the suffering endured by wild animals.

Unlike humans, animals are more sensitive to high-frequency noise produced by fireworks. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (RSPCA) states that the loud noises emitted from fireworks “are unpredictable and out of an animal’s control”, often driving animals to abandon their young and disrupting breeding and feeding behaviours.

Reports describe seabirds abandoning their nests and “shorebirds getting frightened to death.” Other animals, in a blind panic, flee onto motorways, getting hit by oncoming traffic.

“Fireworks are demonstrative of our choice to favour a fleeting spectacle over enduring destruction. In the face of climate change, surely fireworks are an unnecessary evil?”

As well as the disorienting noise and light, firework debris is toxic if ingested and they also increase the risk of wildfire, consequently harming wildlife and their habitats.

Many opt for greener alternatives. Tokyo’s Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Olympics offered an impressive drone show. Lasers and other lighting effects can provide the same level of spectacle, without risk of wildfire or the spread of harmful pollution. The Italian town Collecchino has implemented silent fireworks to protect local wildlife.  Without the deafening bang of traditional fireworks, the alternative maintains a light and colourful display with less environmental harm.

Fireworks are demonstrative of our choice to favour a fleeting spectacle over enduring destruction. In the face of climate change, surely fireworks are an unnecessary evil?