Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a celebration celebrated by muslims all over the world just around the corner. As usual each year, we can hear the sound of fireworks and firecrackers near our neighbourhood. But not many of us realize that the hazard during any festival in Malaysia especially Hari Raya, New Year and Chinese New Year not only come in burns and blasted fingers from firecracker mishaps, but also in smoke from firecrackers and pyrotechnics that are lighted up. But the only thing highlighted is all about burns.
Firecracker explosions release nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide which worsen the daily smog. As for fireworks, their colors come from the different temperatures of hot, glowing metals and from the light emitted by burning chemical compounds. Chemical reactions propel them and burst them into special shapes. Depending on the effect sought, fireworks produce smoke and dust that contain various heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds and other noxious chemicals. Barium, for example, is used to produce brilliant green colors in fireworks displays, beside known as poisonous and radioactive. Copper compounds are used to produce blue colors, even though they contain dioxin, which has been linked to cancer. Cadmium, lithium, antimony, rubidium, strontium, lead and potassium nitrate are also commonly used to produce different effects, even though they can cause a host of respiratory and other health problems.
The chemicals and heavy metals used in fireworks can effect the environment, which can cause water supply contamination and even acid rain. Their use also deposits physical litter on the ground and into water bodies for miles around. For examples, some U.S. states and local governments restrict the use of fireworks in accordance with guidelines set by the Clean Air Act. The American Pyrotechnics Association provides a free online directory of state laws across the U.S. regulating the use of fireworks.
Fireworks is highly used around the world, including in countries without strict air pollution standards. According to The Ecologist, millennium celebrations in 2000 caused environmental pollution worldwide, filling skies over populated areas with “carcinogenic sulphur compounds and airborne arsenic.”
Walt Disney company, has create technology where environmentally benign compressed air was used instead of gunpowder to launch fireworks. Disney puts on hundreds of dazzling fireworks displays every year at its various resort properties in the U.S. and Europe, but hopes its new technology will have beneficial impact on the pyrotechnics industry worldwide. They also hoping that other companies will also green up their offerings.
Even though the approach is a good step to carry out, it still better not to use the fireworks or any firecrackers as they may cause more harm than benefit. They just give a moment of happiness but a long lasting negative effect to environment. Better approach such as laser light shows can wow a crowd without the negative environmental side effects associated with fireworks. Therefore, lets banned the use of firecrackers and fireworks during this festival. We can change the world by taking this small steps towards better environment….
I think we should not only ban fireworks during festivals, it should also applies to celebrations such as merdeka eve, opening ceremony and even fireworks competition. The amount of fireworks burnt during the celebration(s)/competition are far more huge compared to during festivals. I think i saw more smoke during the Putrajaya Fireworks Competition few years ago. And i heard, the competition going to be held again somewhere Jul-August 2011. Is enjoying the sparks of fireworks far more better than our environment?
ReplyDeleteYa,I am agree with yctan. We should not banning the use of fireworks during the festivals celebrations.Year after year, we hear government ban it, but it is still there rampantly.Celebrating new years or certain festival using fireworks has been commonly practiced in most of our cultures for hundreds years. Banning it entirely is like asking us to forget a part of our culture.Besides, rampant use of fireworks can causes injuries and loss of properties.I think the proper way is to legalize it, but limitations is needed where its use to certain designated areas under proper supervision and security.That way, tax and duty on sale of legal fireworks can be collected.Thus, everyone is happy at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteIn a recent media report, the Customs Department intelligence director Datuk Ismail Ibrahim was quoted as saying that a heavier penalty, instead of the usual RM100 minimum compound for those caught for fireworks offences, will act as a deterrent.
ReplyDeleteFor more than two decades, CAP has been calling on the authorities to impose heavier penalties on offenders including jail sentences. The ever occurring and increase in incidents of the smuggling, distribution and sale of firecrackers and fireworks can only be stopped through strict enforcement and with the cooperation from the public not to buy the contraband.