In the distance, fireworks were sparking and popping, illuminating the sky for miles. It's when a loud boom echoes throughout the neighborhood. For many people, it’s just another Fourth of July celebration . . . but for others, it's pure terror. Dogs whine. Cats hide beneath the bed. Birds get disoriented and frightened. Even some people have severe phobias of loud noises or fireworks. The firework market, however, is growing. In 2020, the global fireworks market was valued at USD 2,481.6 million and is expected to reach USD 3,243.8 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.9%.
Three essential elements require for a firework: an oxidizer, a fuel, and a chemical mixture to generate the color and sound. Roger Bacon discovered this in the early 1200s. Interestingly, Bacon kept his discoveries hidden, penning them in code to keep them out of the wrong hands. The aerial shell as we know it today was invented in the 1830s by Italian pyrotechnicians.
As firecrackers ignite, their electrons become excited and emit light. Different compounds burn at various light wavelengths. Deep red colors are produced by strontium and lithium compounds, blue colors by copper, silver or white colors by magnesium and titanium, orange colors by calcium, yellow fireworks by sodium, and green colors by barium.
Because of the composition of fireworks, it is understandable that they can have a detrimental effect on the environment. Heavy metals, dioxins, perchlorates, and other air pollutants, which have catastrophic health impacts in high concentrations, are released into the atmosphere when fireworks are set off.
A group at the Pyrotechnics Technology and Prototyping Division of the United States Army aims to design more environmentally friendly flares for military use. It would also be possible to use the technology for civilian fireworks. There is, however, a challenge in making eco-friendly items affordable.
