phobos13013 writes "An article just in time for the fourth in the ACS's Chemical and Engineering News talks about the hazardous chemicals in modern fireworks displays. Perchlorate is currently the oxidizer of choice in fireworks but is also known to be a thyroid blocker; since perchlorates are easily water soluble anions, they dissolve into groundwater quickly. A study performed last summer over a lake in Ada, Oklahoma showed that in less than a day from the fireworks display, chlorate levels in the lake jumper over 1,000 ppm of their baseline concentration. Subsequently, it took weeks for the levels to drop back down to their baseline. On the other hand, heavy metals are used to produce the pretty colors typically associated with the best fireworks. The trend is to start using nitrogen-based oxidizing fireworks, they produce less smoke which means less colorizing agents can be used in displays.
Since C&EN is a subscription-based magazine, the article will likely only be available for a few weeks, a condensed article is available at Science Daily." Link to Original Source
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