Posted on 07/03/2008 7:02:42 AM PDT by Daffynition
The smoke lingering in the air after a fireworks show doesn’t just obstruct views of the spectacular pyrotechnics — it’s also toxic for the environment.
But it doesn't need to be. Scientists are finding new ways to make the rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air more eco-friendly.
"The problem is, what goes up must come down sometime," said Georg Steinhauser, a licensed pyrotechnician and a chemist at the Vienna University of Technology in Austria. "If you shoot something in the sky, that stuff can't just disappear."
Steinhauser and a number of other chemists around the world are developing a suite of new pyrotechnics that rely on high-nitrogen energetic compounds to make fireworks less harmful to people's health and the environment.
"We're still at the beginning of development, but there have been exciting results," said Steinhauser, who recently published a report about the challenges of making "green" pyrotechnics in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
Fireworks, at their most basic level, are made up of two things: a fuel to burn and an oxidizer to supply oxygen.
Usually, fireworks also include metal coloring agents, binders to provide mechanical stability and gunpowder propellants to launch fireworks into the air.
Some of these components, however, are notably toxic. Fireworks explosions release a witch's brew of poisonous substances, including heavy metals, particulates, perchlorates, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen and sulfur oxides.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Besides the ludicrous subject matter, this is a perfect example of Lazy Journalism 101 as practiced by muddleheads who are slaves to ‘AP Style.’
Topic sentence full of foreboding and irony!
Quote from ‘expert!’
Intelligence-insulting exposition for those (like the writer) who failed basic science.
Trite, tired and typical.
Good grief! Crazier and crazier.
Ecoweenies are determined make everyone feel guilty for any particle of joy or pleasure. Next, they’ll develop rules for “Eco-Friendly” nookie.
I have had it with these idiots. They will not stop until every thing we value or enjoy is destroyed. It is not fair that through our hard work, we live a comfortable life, because somewhere in the world there is someone sitting on their butt without as many nice things. Socialism anyone?
You don’t still give nookies do you? I think you need to have four witnesses and your attorney present when you do. ;)
GRRR! Makes me want to go outside and burn a pile of leaves.
...makes me want to hang out with you and throw a tire on that fire!
Among other things...Greenies are killjoys. For cryin out loud it’s once a year Goreiacs!
I don’t know. I saw that on the Official Friday Silliness thread earlier.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.