Chemical Analysis of Consumer Fireworks

Per Alenfelt

ABSTRACT: A chemical analysis of a selection of fireworks has been made. The products were chosen to represent the typical use of consumer fireworks in Sweden 1998. The purpose of the assignment was to estimate to what extent consumer fireworks contribute to the total emission of some undesirable elements in Sweden. Six consumer items were examined (two of them being multi item kits). Nineteen elements were analyzed, but focus was made on the environmentally undesirable elements arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The conclusion was that, as far as arsenic, cadmium and mercury are concerned, the contribution from consumer fireworks is insignificant compared with the total emission and deposition within the country. The emission of lead, which is a well-known constituent in crackling fireworks effects, can at most be 0.8 % of the total emission and deposition in the country. The figures in this paper do not provide any evidence in favor of restricting the lead content of fireworks.

Keywords: chemical analysis, fireworks, environment, pollutant, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, crackling


Ref: JPyro, Issue 11, 2000, pp11-15
(J11_11)

© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd



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