The 4th of July celebrations are known for their grand exhibition of fireworks, and they have been for centuries. While these events last no more than an hour, their effects tend to last much longer and are much more severe.
For instance each year on average, 5 to 15 people die annually in the US due to fireworks. Meanwhile, 9,700 ER visits from fireworks were recorded in 2023 alone by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission.
But this isn’t the limit of the dangers of fireworks. In fact, fireworks have far more grievous effects on our health and the environment. A new study provides a clearer picture of just how dire the effects of these events are.
Published in Nature earlier this week, the study by researchers from NYU Langone Health analyzed pollution from the United States’ biggest fireworks event. It was reported that pollutant levels from the 60,000 firework shells exploding above Manhattan’s East River during Macy’s July 4th fireworks show were much higher than those observed a month ago when smoke from a Canadian wildfire spread in the area.
Pyrotechnic displays, as the study noted, often lead to significant increases in poor air quality, but the widespread impact of pollutants from fireworks on the air and water hasn’t really been investigated.
The study then measured the quality of the air just before and after one of the largest Independence Day events in the United States. It was found that the air samples near the event contained very small particles of harmful organic compounds and metals that reached as high as 3,000 micrograms per cubic meter. Meanwhile, this data peaked at 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter at two other nearby locations.
By comparison, the concentration of fine particles in New York City is just 15 micrograms per cubic meter. Even in June 2023, after the wildfire smoke, the concentration topped at just 460 micrograms per cubic meter.
But this is not all. For most sampling sites, it took several hours for the air quality to return to baseline levels. In Midtown Manhattan, closest to the display, the time taken was 12 hours.
Not only has there been an increase in fine-particle air pollutants, but water has also been contaminated. Samples collected from the East River were found to have been more than double the levels of metals found before the display.
Metals like lead, nickel, and antimony are sometimes used to give fireworks their vibrant color. Previous experiments have shown that exposure to such emissions can lead to oxidation, which, if not treated, can damage or kill cells. According to Terry Gordon, the lead author of the study, who’s a professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine as well as a member of the Division of Environmental Medicine:
“Our findings suggest that major firework displays can create a temporary spike in air pollution that may pose a health risk to both humans and the environment.”
Toxicity on the Rise, Affecting Health
The NYU Langone Health researchers also conducted a study in 2020 in which they analyzed nearly a decade and a half worth of air quality samples. At that time, the same team discovered that samples collected around New Year’s Eve and Independence Day contained higher levels of toxic metals than during any other period of the year.
As per the research, harmful levels of lead were found in two of the twelve types of commercially available fireworks sampled. In addition to lead, copper, titanium, strontium, and other toxins are commonly found in fireworks, which damage human cells and animal lungs.
“Our results suggest that inhaling firework smoke may cause longer-term damage—a risk that has been largely ignored,” said Gordon at the time, adding that while we only get exposed to these toxins for a really short period every year, “they are much more toxic than the pollutants we breathe every day.”
At the time, the team detonated the Blue Storm firecracker, Color-Changing Wheel, and Black Cuckoo in the lab. Then, in low doses, mice and human lung cells were exposed to those particles. Black Cuckoo was found to be the most toxic. The study was believed to be the first one to examine the atmosphere for metal particles found in common fireworks and study the effects of those particles on animals and humans.
An important point to consider is that fireworks displays are not only used for big events and holidays but also at daily events like rock concerts, amusement parks, and sports venues.
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans purchase over 258 million pounds of fireworks annually. Moreover, in 2023, $2.3 billion was spent on fireworks, an increase of more than $100 million from the year before and three times more than in 2012.
So, to get a more comprehensive idea of how fireworks pollution travels and stays after the event, the team of researchers collected air quality samples at four residential sites and then analyzed hourly data from low-cost particle monitors located within a mile of the launch sites, and EPA monitors set up less than six miles away.
Assessing data from NYC and other metropolitan areas, the team found elevated pollutant levels persist for periods ranging from three to twelve hours before reverting to normal levels. Also, the estimated daily average of particles in the air was 25 micrograms per cubic meter, which exceeds WHO’s health guidelines but lies within those set by EPA. So, while results were similar to those found at the river-adjacent sampling locations, there were smaller increases in PM2.5 levels.
Moreover, while the levels of Cu, Sb, Pb, and Zn increased in river water samples from fireworks, increases were also observed in K, S, Cu, Mg, Zn, Ba, Sr, Fe, and Ti in airborne PM2.5 particles. According to study senior author Antonio Saporito, BA, a doctoral student at NYU Grossman School of Medicine:
“While these findings may seem alarming, firework shows can still be enjoyed. Wearing an N95 or KN95 mask is a good way to avoid inhaling smoke when standing near a display, especially for children and for those with preexisting heart and lung problems.”
Time for an Environment-friendly Alternative
As researchers continue to shed light on the harmful effects of fireworks on the environment and our health, people have been turning to technology. Constant technological advancements have given rise to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), aka drones, that offer a great alternative to environmentally harmful fireworks.
These flying robots are actively used for aerial photography, package delivery, rescue, surveillance, wildlife monitoring, military warfare, and more. Lately, drones have seen their increased usage in aerial displays.
As a form of aerial entertainment, drone shows feature hundreds of synchronized drones that use LED lights to illuminate the sky in various animations. Computers guide these different formations.
Over the past couple of years, drone shows have become popular across the US. This trend of illuminating the night sky with drones has already been seen in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico, where fireworks can create environmental hazards like forest fires.
The negative impact of fireworks on the environment is even more marked in today’s age of human-caused climate change. More intense, frequent, and widespread wildfires combined with persistent drought are already a serious problem that needs to be dealt with. Then you add fireworks to the mix, which, according to the National Fire Protection Association, started an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022. It is a recipe for disaster, as 4th of July fireworks coincide with the peak of summer.
Not to mention, the sounds and flashes of light caused by fireworks trigger a startling response in animals, causing not just distress but even death. Bill Bateman, an associate professor at Curtin University, published a study that underscored the “highly damaging” impacts of fireworks, noting birds being scared from their roosting places and nesting sites and even affecting animal breeding.
Due to these negative effects, the city of Indio, California, held a drone show for the first time on July 5, 2024, as part of its Independence Day Block Party. The show displayed visuals of the Statue of Liberty and an eagle flapping its wings.
The city of Lakewood, Colorado, meanwhile, doubled the duration of its drone show this year after a successful event last time. After receiving an “overwhelmingly positive” response to its 2023 drone show, the city decided to have 300 cutting-edge drones this time equipped with state-of-the-art LED lights in various colors. The residents actually requested the drone show to be longer, as per the city’s operations manager.
This popularity led Sky Elements Drones, one of the largest drone show companies in the US, to perform about 50 drone shows over the July 4th holiday, which is a big jump from a mere 12 shows last year. According to Tyler Kubicz, production manager for Sky Elements Drones, in an interview:
“With battery life increasing, flight times getting longer, and workflows improving, the future of drone shows is looking brighter each and every day.”
Although Sky Elements is just three and a half years old, its business has grown by 60% over the past year, reported company President Rick Boss.
Drones Could be the Future of Celebrations
As we noted, there has been an increasing interest in drones, and for a good reason. For starters, drones offer a unique, interesting, and advanced way to tell a story.
For instance, in April, Saudi Arabia set the Guinness world record with its mesmerizing 3,000-drone light show. Then, there was the 1,500-drone Nutcracker Christmas show by Sky Elements, which you can watch:
And, of course, you can’t miss spectacular drone shows put on by China, especially the one with the ethereal, levitating dragon:
Then there’s the fact that drone shows allow the celebrations to be fun and inclusive without the concern of loud noises or the dangers of releasing chemicals in the air. Being quiet and more environmentally friendly allows pets, wildlife, and veterans who may have PTSD to enjoy aerial entertainment.
Furthermore, they do not produce any smoke or debris like spent firework shells. This means that even those who have compromised immune systems can enjoy these shows. With no explosion in drone shows, they are far safer than fireworks shows. Also, the risk of fire is extremely low here.
At the same time, drone usage reduces the risk of accidents and injuries associated with fireworks, making drones a sustainable option. These objects are flown from a safe area, and security is further employed around the perimeter of the flight area to make sure there are no injuries.
Yet another factor that makes drones an extremely attractive alternative to traditional fireworks is their usage. While fireworks can only be used once, these drones can be used again and again, making them cost-effective.
The increasing trend of using drones is further driven by authorities enacting bans on fireworks to protect their cities from wildfires caused by low-explosive pyrotechnic devices.
On top of it all, drones have an environmental footprint close to zero. But that’s not to say that they are completely safe or environmentally friendly. After all, drones can collide with wildlife in the air, and animals might react negatively to having them in their habitats, though research on the same is still in its infancy. Moreover, drones still create light pollution and greenhouse gases.
Despite these limitations, drones have emerged as a potentially attractive and sustainable alternative to fireworks, which are extremely harmful to humans and the environment.
Companies involved in the drone industry
Drones have captured the mass’s interest, and with that, the global drone market is projected to grow to $54.6 bln by the end of this decade, finding its application across enterprise, consumer, logistics, defense, and public safety.
As drone popularity and usage rise, companies have been working on more advanced drone technology. So, let’s take a look at a couple of prominent names in the industry:
#1. DJI Technology
This private company is a leading manufacturer of consumer drones used for aerial photography and videography. In its recent report, DJI found that the global agriculture industry is also booming, with more than 300,000 drones operating around the world to treat over 500 million hectares of farmland globally.
The Chinese-based DJI is currently facing pushback in the US market as a group of Members of the House of Representatives introduced a Countering CCP Drones Act. The proposed bill, DJI said, is based on ‘inaccurate and unsubstantiated allegations,’ damages the broad ecosystem, and aims to eliminate market competition while supporting local drone manufacturers.
#2. Lockheed Martin Corporation
This one is a public company whose shares are currently trading at $552.41, up 21.71% year-to-date (YTD), which puts its market cap at $131.54 billion. When it comes to Lockheed’s financials, its revenue (TTM) has been $71 billion while having an EPS (TTM) of 27.58 and a P/E (TTM) of 19.98.
The dividend yield, meanwhile, is 2.29%. Lockheed is primarily involved in the production of military drones, such as the Indago and Stalker series.
Click here to learn about top drone companies to invest in.
Conclusion
Fireworks continue to be a popular way to celebrate special days worldwide. However, as we noted above, fireworks have a great negative effect on our environment.
For instance, in India, fireworks activity was found to cause short-term air pollution, with the average concentration of PM10 rising 35 times, SO2 23 times, and NOx 3 times compared to a normal day. China and the UK, among other countries, have also conducted numerous similar studies and found fireworks to lead to a spike in air pollution. Studies investigating pollution from fireworks displays have linked this exposure to respiratory issues, including pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This calls for curbing the usage of fireworks and adopting better ways to achieve the same vibrant and enchanting displays. With their large numbers, LED lights, and precise choreography, drones have emerged as an environmentally-friendly alternative for aerial entertainment. While currently seen as a flashy trend, it’s possible that in the long run, drones can replace fireworks as the most popular way of celebration.
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