STOP THEM:
THE firework championships are a highlight of the Plymouth events calendar, with huge numbers of people flocking to see the displays. We've been along in the past, and someone invited me this year. While it seems a shame to put a downer on an exciting event that brightens our skies and shivers our timbers, I thought I'd check whether fireworks cause pollution. Sadly, it wasn't good news.
It turns out that fireworks really aren't good for us, and they also aren't good for our planet. A good many sources explained that firework pollution comes partly in the form of fine toxic particles that we breathe into our lungs. I suppose that's our own choice if we want to enjoy watching the displays. However, they also spread far and wide through the air.
The poisons that explode into the evening sky also include the gases nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide, which contribute to acid rain (still affecting the planet) and theslre is an 'aerosol cloud' containing a number of metallic elements such as strontium, magnesium, potassium, barium and lead. These particles can travel over 60 miles in mild weather, apparently, polluting water too.
Although firework displays are over in a flash, these chemicals hang around, and increase with each new display. They are joined by microplastics - I was surprised to read that there were six times as many microplastics in the Thames after the New Year fireworks display in London 2020.
この記事は The Herald の August 21, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Herald の August 21, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Ford doubt for England's autumn Tests
RUGBY UNION England fly-half George Ford suffered a torn thigh muscle during Sale's 45-26 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Saracens.
Argyle acquit themselves well but pay the penalty in narrow loss to Burnley
WAYNE Rooney described as 'a little bit harsh' the penalty from which Burnley scored the goal to beat his Plymouth Argyle side 1-0 at Turf Moor.
Victorious Kellond keen to pursue Boxing career
PLYMOUTH teenager Mackenzie Kellond took the Western Counties Boxing Championship last weekend after he gave his opponent a standing eight count with just seconds to spare in Cheltenham.
Jones facing a pitch battle at World Cup
AMY Jones admits the conditions at the Women's T20 World Cup will challenge her as a wicketkeeper.
Sir Keir 'wants to make Brexit work'
SIR Keir Starmer promised a \"pragmatic, sensible\" approach to the UK-EU relationship in order to \"make Brexit work\", as he held talks in Brussels yesterday.
Taxi driver in fear after attack
PASSENGERS ALLEDGEDLY ASSAULTED DRIVER AND STOLE CASH
Crane needed as lorry gets stuck in lane
LORRY WAS THERE FOR THREE DAYS
Car park spots blocked over erosion worry
A POPULAR beauty spot near Plymouth has lost a number of parking spaces after concerns were raised about erosion.
Plastic fantastic in school contest
CONTEST COULD NET SCHOOL A BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND
AI cameras set to detect A386 traffic offences
SEATBELT AND MOBILE PHONE USERS BEWARE