NGM Blog Central - Friendlier Fire - National Geographic Magazine

The culprit is perchlorate, and the fear is it could seep into drinking water. Early research suggests it might hinder the thyroid’s production of growth hormones, notably in children and pregnant women. “It deserves more study,” says EPA spokesman Rick Wilkin.

After a fireworks blast, bits of perchlorate can land in nearby water. Poor cleanup of duds adds to contamination. And perchlorate lingers. In a study of an Oklahoma lake from 2004 to 2006, levels spiked following a fireworks show and took 20 to 80 days to stabilize. Why the range? The warmer the water, the faster the perchlorate dissipated. Chemists Darren Naud and Mike Hiskey have devised a solution. Most of the fireworks made by their New Mexico company use cleaner burning, nitrate-based oxidants instead of perchlorate. This low-smoke variety is ideal for indoor shows like Cirque du Soleil, but outdoor venues opt for Chinese imports, which are far cheaper. Without laws regulating perchlorate, event planners aren’t likely to spend more bucks for their bang. —Catherine L. Barker

Photo: New high-nitrate fireworks don’t add much smoke to an indoor space. Photograph by Darren Naud, DMD Systems.

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Alfred Rose
Jun 30, 2009 12AM #

"The day will be the most memorable in the history of America. I am opt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival ... It ought to be solemized with pomp and parade ... bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward forever more."

John Adams, July 3, 1776

Americans have celebrated freedom with fireworks for many of the years since. How have pregnant women, children, and all the rest of us ever manage to survive this long?

Perhaps the EPA should concern itself with the growing amount of pharmaceutical trace elements that appear in our drinking water.

Perhaps citizens of the USA should be more aware of the ongoing onslaught against the collective American attention span by the news media, and the hand held electronic devices that they ultimately control. What happens when the plug is pulled?

As far as study goes, how many trace elements are left when the space shuttle launches into orbit? Without laws regulating these, NASA planners aren't likely to spend more bucks for their bang.

Alfred Rose
Connecticut

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