Colours of Hazard
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.