I get an allergic type of reaction where I have difficulty breathing when exposed to fireworks or gun smoke. As usual, my corner of the Sammamish Plateau was also a war zone this year. I have learned from experience to stay inside during the festivities and keep all the doors and windows closed. I shouldn't have to stay inside my house in order to be able to breath, but that is the reality of the situation.

Diane Weinstein
Issaquah


----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Sandelin<mailto:floriferous at msn.com>
To: TWEETERS at u.washington.edu<mailto:TWEETERS at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 6:48 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Chemical affects of fireworks on birds and the rest ofnature including us



In case you might wonder what you can be exposed to from fireworks smoke:
You can get pictures and more info at
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Falls/9200/toxic_fireworks.html<http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Falls/9200/toxic_fireworks.html>



For the color effect of fireworks, toxic heavy metals are used like mercury,
radioactive barium, antimony, copper, strontium and phosphorus. After
fireworks are exploded heavy metal fallout poses an unhealthy threat to
humans, animals, and all of nature.

The smoke from fireworks consists mainly of fine toxic dusts that can easily
enter the lungs. This represents a real threat for people with asthma or
multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Fireworks contain a variety of
toxicants. In the US, outdoor firework displays may have generated about 90
tons of sky-borne lead pollution... an obvious violation of the Clean Air
Act.

Seems like all this info is well known to the permitee agencies. Maybe
someday a class action lawsuit will be levelled on munipialities and the
indian reservations for knowingly distributing hazardous and known
carcinigens into the environment.


Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer
The Environmental Science School
http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm<http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm>
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