Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, drawing attention to the negative effects of fireworks, widely used in New Year's celebrations, on humans, animals, and nature, stated that fireworks also disrupt the chemical balance of nature. Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, noting that fireworks cause hearing loss in humans and animals due to high-intensity noise, and pollute the environment by causing soil, water, and air pollution, also highlighted the negative effects of fireworks, which can cause injuries in humans and animals, particularly on eye health. Sur, stating that they do not recommend watching the displays, warned, “However, if a display is to be watched, one should stand at least 500 meters away from the fireworks, and if an exploding firework is encountered, physical contact must be avoided.”
If you insist, watch from 500 meters away…
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, Dean of the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, made an assessment regarding the effects of fireworks, used for entertainment and display purposes, on public health.
Fireworks displays are for entertainment purposes
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur noted that fireworks are low-explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes, stating, “The most common area where fireworks are used is in firework displays. A firework event, or a firework display, is also called a pyrotechnic display and is a demonstration of the effects produced by fireworks.”
Fireworks culture discovered and spread in China
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur noted that the culture of fireworks was discovered in China about 2000 years ago and is still used for various purposes today, stating, “The most common legend about the invention or accidental discovery of fireworks is the mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter, which were abundant in kitchens back then. This mixture would explode when compressed in a bamboo tube and ignited. Firecrackers were used in the past, and even today, to scare away ghosts with evil spirits using loud noises. Firecrackers are also used today for birthdays, deaths, and to bless newborn children. One of the most common ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year is with firecrackers to ward off evil spirits for the year.”
Fireworks are produced with chemicals called stars
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur stated that these practices later spread worldwide for entertainment and celebration purposes, and that the colors of fireworks are generally produced with mixed chemicals called “stars” that emit strong and bright light when ignited. Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur noted that stars consist of five basic mixtures: “Fuel ensures the burning of the stars. Oxidizers, this compound produces oxygen, allowing the fuel to burn better. Color is produced by chemicals. Binder ensures the chemicals forming the stars stay together. Chlorine donor increases the intensity of the colored flame. Sometimes oxidizers also perform this function.”
Many negative effects exist
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur pointed out that fireworks harm nature, disrupting its chemical balance, and causing damage to humans, animals, and plants in various ways, stating, “They have negative effects such as hearing loss in humans and animals due to high-intensity noise; poisoning the environment by causing soil, water, and air pollution; causing forest fires and other fires, and leading to injuries in humans and animals.”
Presents risks for eye health
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur stated that fireworks have been found to cause serious health problems in humans, adding, “They particularly harm eye health. While people look at the sky to watch entertainment or aesthetic displays, the substances emitting colorful lights fall to the ground. Even while watching, it harms health, causing damage and burns to the eye. Fireworks cause both mechanical trauma and thermal burns to the eye after being ignited. The problem can progress to vision loss.” he warned.
If there are eye-related complaints, a hospital must be consulted
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur advised that if eye complaints begin, one should immediately go to the hospital, not wash or rub the eyes, not tightly close the eyes with hands or apply pressure to them, not try to intervene and remove an object if felt in the eye, not apply various medical substances like drops and creams to the eye other than those recommended by a doctor, and not take blood thinners and painkillers like aspirin.
Should be watched from 500 meters away
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur stated that they do not recommend watching the displays, adding, “However, if a display is to be watched, one should stand at least 500 meters away from the fireworks, and if an exploding firework is encountered, physical contact must be avoided.” he warned.
These warnings must be heeded!
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur also listed his other warnings as follows:
Fireworks burn at very high temperatures. Therefore, they must be kept away from children.
If possible, fireworks should not be ignited in residential areas and in places with flammable materials, such as forests.
For emergencies (if a firework does not explode or ignite) or in case of a fire, plenty of water should be kept nearby for extinguishing.
Faulty and unignited fireworks should never be reused and must be soaked and rendered unusable.
Unused fireworks should be kept away from intact ones.
Fireworks should not be ignited inside glass and metal containers.
Fireworks should be stored in cool and dry places in accordance with storage instructions.
Fireworks should not be held close to the body while emitting light.
No non-professional should carry out these operations, and professionals must also fully comply with precautions.
Fireworks alternative products are gaining acceptance…
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur noted that products that can replace fireworks are increasingly gaining acceptance today, stating, “Among these, laser light shows are the most preferred option. However, these shows still have the potential for negative effects on birds. We have a responsibility to protect all living and non-living things in nature. The only and definitive solution in this regard is to stop using fireworks, which are not of vital importance to us.”