About the Author

Richard Cochrane is trained in chemistry and metallurgy but is far more interested and practiced as a political and fund raising consultant, writer and amateur historian. He grew up in a Navy family and with his two younger brothers carried on its 500+ year tradition of naval service to Great Britain and the USA then enjoyed a career with one of the largest advertising and public relations agencies working with numerous Fortune 500 companies and many of America's premier educational institutions. He maintains friendships and acquaintanceships around the world. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

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More Eco-friendly Fireworks.

July 5th, 2008 • Richard Cochrane

Hail, Cleaner FireworksFriday’s LA Times served up another mournful report this time that fireworks canLess Heavy Metal! be a health threat polluting the air and water with what its describes as “a severe source of pollution.”

The article cites studies by European scientists and the Los Angeles AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (AQMD) warning those with asthma or other breating impediments to stay upwind or inside around fireworks displays. It especially warned that green colored fireworks burn barium to make that color and “barium is highly poisonous.” Strontium (red) and cooper (blue) ” can also be toxic. It soberly advises that perchlorate which provide oxygen for fireworks displays is a water pollutant. In addition the article cites particulant concentrations well above federal safe air limits.

Los Alamos chemist have experimented with nitrocellulose based pyrotechnics and created a company to make less polluting fireworks. When it burns it produces water, nitrogen and carbon dioxide and 90% less smoke and no perchlorate. The company, called DMD Systems chemist says they can produce “nicer” colors with less metals. The whole thing sounds like an examination in freshmen qualitative chemical analysis.

The American Pyrotechnical Association expects its members will be producing spectacular, and cleaner fireworks display in the foreseeable future.

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