A new study suggests some of America's favorite Independence Day fireworks can give out lead and copper（铜）, which are used to give fireworks their vivid colors, and also damage human cells and animal lungs.
Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the study showed poisonous levels of lead in two of 12 samples of commercially-available fireworks. Experiments using human tissue showed that lung exposure to particle emissions（颗粒排放物）from five types of fireworks significantly increased oxidation (氧化), a chemical process in the body that can damage or even kill cells.
The researchers say the new study, published online in the journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology, is believed to be the first to examine the effects of firework exposure in human cells and living animals, and to test for particles of common firework metals thrown into the atmosphere.
"While many are careful to protect themselves from injury from explosions, our results suggest that inhaling firework smoke may cause, longer-term physical damage, a risk that has been largely ignored," says study senior author Terry Gordon, PhD, a professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine.
Gordon and his team also analyzed 14 years' worth of air quality samples taken at dozens of sites across the US by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) throughout each year. They found that levels of poisonous metals were higher in samples taken on Independence Day and New Year's Eve celebrations than at any other time of the year. Along with lead, copper and other poisonous metals are commonly found in fireworks. "Our research shows that although we are only exposed to these poisonous substances for a short time each year, they are much more poisonous than the pollutants we breathe every day," says Gordon.
Gordon cautions that the current investigation is a first step, only addressing the potential effects of one-time exposure to the firework metals. He says repeated exposure is likely a larger concern. Nevertheless, he is planning to share his findings with local health officials, firework producers, the Environmental Protection Agent, and other regulatory agents to alert them to the potential for harm.
