National Day - Fireworks

Fireworks (devices) take many forms to produce the four primary effects: noise, light, smoke, and floating materials (confetti for example). They may be designed to burn with colored flames and sparks including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and silver.

Colors in fireworks are usually generated by pyrotechnic stars—usually just called stars—which produce intense light when ignited. Stars contain five basic types of ingredients.

·         A fuel which allows the star to burn

·         An oxidizer—a compound which produces (usually) oxygen to support the combustion of the fuel

·         Color-producing chemicals

·         A binder which holds the pellet together.

·         A chlorine donor which provides chlorine to strengthen the color of the flame. Sometimes the oxidizer can serve this purpose.

 

Reference of chemicals used in fireworks industry

The color of a compound in a firework will be the same as its color in a flame test.

Symbol	Name	Fireworks Usage
Al	Aluminum	Aluminum is used to produce silver and white flames and sparks. It is a common component of sparklers.
Ba	Barium	Barium is used to create green colors in fireworks, and it can also help stabilize other volatile elements.
C	Carbon	Carbon is one of the main components of black powder, which is used as a propellent in fireworks. Carbon provides the fuel for a firework. Common forms include carbon black, sugar, or starch.
Ca	Calcium	Calcium is used to deepen firework colors. Calcium salts produce orange fireworks.
Cl	Chlorine	Chlorine is an important component of many oxidizers in fireworks. Several of the metal salts that produce colors contain chlorine.
Cs	Caesium	Cesium compounds help to oxidize firework mixtures. Cesium compounds produce an indigo color in fireworks.
Cu	Copper	Copper produces blue-green colors in fireworks and halides of copper are use to make shades of blue.
Fe	Iron	Iron is used to produce sparks. The heat of the metal determines the color of the sparks.
K	Potassium	Potassium compounds help to oxidize firework mixtures. Potassium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and potassium perchlorate are all important oxidizers. The potassium content can impart a violet-pink color to the sparks.
Li	Lithium	Lithium is a metal that is used to impart a red color to fireworks. Lithium carbonate, in particular, is a common colorant.
Mg	Magnesium	Magnesium burns a very bright white, so it is used to add white sparks or improve the overall brilliance of a firework.
Na	Sodium	Sodium imparts a yellow color to fireworks, however, the color is often so bright that it frequently masks other, less intense colors.
O	Oxygen	Fireworks include oxidizers, which are substances that produce oxygen in order for burning to occur. The oxidizers are usually nitrates, chlorates, or perchlorates. Sometimes the same substance is used to provide oxygen and color.
P	Phosphorus	Phosphorus burns spontaneously in air and is also responsible for some glow in the dark effects. It may be a component of a firework's fuel.
Ra	Radium	Radium would create intense green colors in fireworks, but it is far too hazardous to use.
Rb	Rubidium	Rubidium compounds help to oxidize firework mixtures. Rubidium compounds produce a violet-red color in fireworks.
S	Sulfur	Sulfur is a component of black powder, and as such, it is found in a firework's propellant/fuel.
Sb	Antimony	Antimony is used to create firework glitter effects.
Sr	Strontium	Strontium salts impart a red color to fireworks. Strontium compounds are also important for stabilizing fireworks mixtures.
Ti	Titanium	Titanium metal can be burned as powder or flakes to produce silver sparks.
Zn	Zinc	Zinc is a bluish white metal that is used to create smoke effects for fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices.

Fireworks produce smoke and dust that may contain residues of heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds and some low concentration toxic chemicals. These by-products of fireworks combustion will vary depending on the mix of ingredients of a particular firework.

Pollutants from fireworks raise concerns because of potential health risks associated with hazardous by-products. For most people the effects of exposure to low levels of toxins from many sources over long periods are unknown. For persons with asthma or multiple chemical sensitivity the smoke from fireworks may aggravate existing health problems.

Improper use of fireworks may be dangerous, both to the person operating them (risks of burns and wounds) and to bystanders; in addition, they may start fires after landing on flammable material. For this reason, the use of fireworks is generally legally restricted.