Chemicals compounds used as colourants in fireworks, and their impact on health.

Blazing Reds	Lithium Compounds	Toxic, irritating fumes when burnt
Glittering Greens	Barium Nitrate	Can irritate respiratory tract, have possible radioactive fallout
Brilliant Whites	Aluminium	Contact dermatitis, bio-accumulation
Blues	Copper Compounds	Cancer risk, bio-accumulation
Glitters Effects	Antimony sulphide	Toxic smoke, possible carcinogen

 

OTHER COMPOUNDS
Sulphur Dioxide	Acid rain
Potassium Nitrate	Carcinogenic, toxic dust
Ammonium / Potassium Perchlorate	Contaminate ground water, may cause thyroid problems
Lead Dioxide / Nitrate / Chloride	Development danger for unborn children, poisonous
Mercury	Toxic heavy metal, bio-accumulation
Nitric Oxide	Toxic, if inhaled
Nitrogen Dioxide	Highly toxic, if inhaled
Ozone	Greenhouse Gas
Strontium Compounds	Can replace calcium in body, toxic

How a specific exploding firework performs depends on how its four primary ingredients – oxidizer, fuel, colouring agents, and binder – combine.

Burning requires oxygen – the oxidisers in fireworks are chemicals that release oxygen to allow the explosion to take place. Nitrates, chlorates and perchlorates are used most commonly.