We’re heading into 2025, but before we get there, there will be a lot of celebrating, which may be festive, but will also be damaging, says experts.
One way to ring in the New Year is to set the night ablaze with fireworks, but people who are turning their attention to this option may not realize the long-term effects. We all know fireworks can be dangerous, as they are explosives, with people losing fingers or limbs, but it goes beyond individuals being harmed.
Terry Gordon, a professor at New York University, talked about the issue with the regional paper Delaware Currents.
Professor Gordon said: “Looking at the composition of these particles and which ones may be the most toxic to human health, fireworks are in the mix with particles from coal-fired power plants, which appear to be the worst.”
He added: “Based on the fact that fireworks are so high in metal content compared to regular particles that we breathe, I believe they’re extremely toxic.
The damage caused depends on the the size of the fireworks and how long the display lasts.
The bigger the bang and the longer it goes on — in other words, the more “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd — will translate into more toxins in the air, the soil and waterways.
The National Weather Service urgers people to think about other ways to celebrate, for example with confetti or streamers, which are considerably much safer.