Several countries like Germany, the Philippines, and India are discussing the limiting of public sale, use, and prohibition of fireworks citing environmental and safety concerns. Fireworks use is sure to be at an all time high at the end of the decade, so the issues are up for discussion again by people all around the world. What do we need to know about it?
Made in China
Around 1100 years ago, ancient Chinese chemists discovered a powder that was extremely combustible. When activated, it radiated intense heat and light. The chemists purified and refined the substance, studying how it worked along the way. Merchants traded and spread it across the land, introducing the ancient world to what we now know as gunpowder.
Thinking about it now, the chemical reaction and the explosions it created might as well have been magic to them. It was believed, after all, that fireworks ward off evil spirits and bad luck through loud explosions and bright lights. But persistent ancient scientists found that this powder can be controlled and harnessed. They discovered that by combining it with other substances, the light changed colors.
This is how fireworks were invented and how they are still made. Marker of celebrations and show of splendour – whether you’re opening or closing a momentous event, fireworks are the way to go. But how much do fireworks affect the environment? We do see smoke when they are used, but is it enough for us to be alarmed?
Continue reading “Will Fireworks Fit in our Future?”
