What does firework contain?

The propellant in firework is usually black powder, in pure form or in combination with
other substances. Black powder consists of potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur. The
white smoke formed by firing fireworks consists largely of water vapor. The smoke
occurs because combustion of black powder generates large amounts of very small
particles that serve as condensation nuclei for any water vapor present in the air. These
particles include potassium sulfate and pure sulfur.
To create the different colors associated with fireworks, various metals and metal salts are
combusted into corresponding metal oxides. Different metals give different colors. Below
is an overview of the function and the environmental impact of a number of commonly
occurring firework metals have.
Metals
Of the more than 1 known elements, ! are metals. Two of the most common elements
on earth, iron and aluminum, are metals. "etals therefore occur naturally in great
abundance, and many of them have vital functions in living beings.
#ome metals are harmful to plants, animals and humans if present in high concentrations.
This is particularly true of some of the so called heavy metals. There is no clear definition
of what constitutes a heavy metal, but it generally includes metals like cadmium,
mercury, lead and more. $n general it can be said that these metals are not part of
pyrotechnic use. The only exception to this is lead, which may occur in small amounts in
certain professional fireworks to induce a specific crackling effect. %xcept this, heavy
metals occur in fireworks only as undesirable impurities in the chemicals used to produce
fireworks, &ust as they can be found as impurities in other chemical products. %missions
from fireworks are still completely dwarfed by emissions from, for example, fertili'er
and power plants.
Aluminum (Al)
(luminum in metallic form is a common ingredient in fireworks. (luminum is used to
make white and silver flashing effects. During combustion it produces aluminum oxide,
which is the most common component in typical clay. (luminum is the third most
common element in the earth)s crust and occurs mainly in its oxidi'ed form.
Antimony (Sb)
(ntimony is used in pyrotechnics because it burns with a bright flame. (ntimony and
many of its compounds are in concentrated form toxic or harmful to humans and animals.
(ntimony is a relatively rare element. The amount of antimony used in fireworks is small
and insignificant in comparison to the amounts used in the glass, plastic and textile
industries. $n the nature, antimony can primarily be found as antimony sulfide in the
mineral stibnitt, but it can also occur pure.
Barium (Ba)
Barium is the substance that usually creates the green effects in fireworks. #ome barium
compounds in concentrated form is toxic or harmful to humans, animals and plants. This
is true for barium nitrate, which can sometimes be found in fireworks. During combustion
the barium nitrate will react with other substances in the pyrotechnic unit, and will
gradually produce more stable compounds such as barium sulfate and carbonate. These
are rather insoluble in water and have little effect on the environment. *aturally occurring
barium is usually found as barium sulfate, which has a very low level of toxicity for
humans and the environment. Barium sulfate is used in large +uantities as a contrast agent
for ,-ray, as a bleaching agent for paper and as pigment in paint.
Lead (Pb)
.ertain pyrotechnic units for professional use can be supplemented by small amounts of
lead oxides to provide a special crackling effect. /ead oxides, if consumed or inhaled in
high concentrations or over long periods, can cause damage to the central nervous system
and kidneys, as well as the production of blood and semen. 0etuses and nursing children
are particularly vulnerable. /ead also has a tendency to accumulate in the body. %ven in
the environment lead oxides have negative effects. (n intensive effort to phase out lead
and lead compounds have been ongoing for the past several decades, both in the
fireworks industry and in other areas. .onsumer fireworks is now virtually free of lead.
Iron (Fe)
$ron is often added to fireworks to provide sparks. $ron is a very common elemental
material, and essential for humans, plants and animals. $ron is for example necessary for
blood hemoglobin to be able to carry oxygen. $ron is the fourth most common element in
the earth)s crust.
Potassium ()
1otassium and its salts color flames violet. 1otassium is also an ingredient in potassium
nitrate, found in black powder. 1otassium is the seventh most common element in the
earth)s crust and also occurs in large +uantities in seawater. 1otassium is an essential
nutrient for plants and also has several important functions in the human body. The
largest application of potassium is in fertili'er.
Ma!nesium (M!)
"agnesium is used in metallic form, often combined with aluminum to give white,
flashing effects. "agnesium is oxidi'ed during combustion to form magnesium oxide.
"agnesium oxide is a harmless substance, used in medicine to neutrali'e stomach acid
and acidic effects from other substances, for example aspirin. "agnesium is the eighth
most common element in the earth)s crust.