Are Fireworks Worth It? - Editorial
Fireworks and the Fourth of July have gone hand in hand since the dawn of the nation. The tradition, it is said, traces back to Philadelphia’s first organized celebration of July 4 in 1777, and consisted of ship cannons firing a 13-gun salute to honor each of the 13 colonies.
Independence Day fireworks shows today are extravagantly expensive and are popular family-friendly events but, in the wake of recent environmental concerns, have caused some people to wonder if all of the fuss is worth the fallout. This year, instead of pyrotechnics, some celebrations have featured more environmentally friendly options like drone or laser shows.
Over the past month, millions of Americans in the Northeast—and even more recently in the Midwest—have been affected by what is shaping up to be one of Canada’s worst wildfire seasons ever. Smoky air pollution from the more than 400 wildfires burning across the northern border have brought panic over air quality and discussions about what can be done.
When it comes to fireworks, they have a rather nasty downside of environmental cons despite their visual appeal. In fact, setting off fireworks causes a spike in a form of air pollution called particulate matter, which is the very same type of pollution that is elevated from wildfire smoke.
A 2015 study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that in the 24-hour period from the evening of July 4 to July 5 fine particulate matter levels across the country rise by an average of 42 percent, and sites adjacent to fireworks shows can see an increase of as much as 370 percent in particulate matter pollution. While these levels typically exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold for air quality, they are often flagged as one-time events to avoid officially violating national air standards.
As if the air quality implications were not bad enough, fireworks displays can also cause serious harm to both people and animals in the vicinity. Dogs and other household pets famously both fear and hate fireworks shows, which directly contribute to the sudden spike in lost or runaway pets during the week of July 4 that local animal and humane shelters are forced to prepare to deal with.
Wild animals are affected, too: the sudden noise can stun them or cause them to flee, often ending up in unexpected or unsafe areas. Some mothers will even abandon their young out of fear, and be too disoriented to find their way back.
Humans, too, suffer the direct consequences of fireworks, especially when used incorrectly by nonprofessionals. Last year saw 10,200 fireworks-related injuries and 11 reported deaths, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Physical implications aside, those with sensory issues or who are living with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder can become extremely agitated or upset by the fireworks’ loud noises. This is especially true for combat veterans suffering from PTSD.
So, are fireworks worth all of that? We are not sure. No one wants to be the party pooper that killed the tradition of fireworks, but other places around the country have already shifted to new concepts. Salt Lake City, Boulder, Colorado, and Minneapolis celebrated Independence Day this year with drone light/laser shows, a move that reflects conscious consideration of air quality issues, wildfire prevention and the welfare of both animals and people living there.
From what we’ve seen, though, drone shows produce a more sophisticated, entertaining visual and may actually have more potential for engagement or use for specific events than the run-of-the-mill pyrotechnic show. It remains to be seen whether drone light shows could ever really replace fireworks as a Fourth of July tradition, and it is something worth thinking about for Independence Days to come.