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Should You Skip Fireworks This 4th?
Independence Day fireworks are an American tradition, but all those explosions leave behind far more than an air of celebration.
Pyrotechnics typically contain health-damaging pollutants such as perchlorate to quickly burn fuel, heavy metals (barium, copper, lithium) to produce glittering colors, and sulfur-coal-laced powder charges that send fireworks aloft in the first place.
Studies show that following a big fireworks display, contaminating chemical levels spike in nearby air and water – up to 1,000 times the norm in the case of percholate, according to a 2007 study by the EPA.
Alternatives to conventional fireworks are few – and they’re still far from eco-friendly. … read more
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Explosives
Explosives
In general, the only explosive-related material that can be recycled is bullet casings, which can be reloaded and used again. All other explosives should stay out of the bin, and if you have doubts about how to properly dispose of any explosive materials, contact your local fire or police department.
