Types Of Fireworks Research Articles

Spectrum of firework injuries at auniversity eye clinic after the COVID-19 lockdown

The handling of fireworks regularly leads to avariety of injuries affecting the periocular region. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown and asales ban on consumer fireworks for the private sector the number of injuries massively decreased; however, aconsiderable increase was registered again at the last New Year festivities. The aim of this work was to present the extent and spectrum of such injuries in amaximum care center. As part of the nationwide survey of firework-associated eye injuries in emergency care eye clinics and hospitals, data from the MHH Eye Hospital in Hannover were compiled over the period of 3days (30.12.2022-01.01.2023) and evaluated with respect to gender, age, severity, injury pattern, type of fireworks and treatment. Of atotal of n = 25 injured patients, n = 19 (76%) were male. Most patients presented on New Year's Day (n = 14, New Year's Eve: n = 9; 30.12.2022: n = 2), with the majority of cases presenting with mild injuries with irritation and erosion of the ocular surface (n = 15; 60%). Of the patients four sustained moderate to severe injuries with bulbar contusion, hyphema, and sometimes iris base tears (16%). Of the patients six suffered severe, mainly open, eye injuries (24%), two of which required primary evisceration. Ignition of fireworks batteries revealed the highest risk of serious injury, affecting mainly males 31-40years of age. Children up to 12years of age generally sustained only minor injuries, although there were exceptions as there were among adolescents. The person who caused the fireworks injury was affected in about 52% of the cases; in 48% the victim of the accident was abystander. In cases of complex injuries, under certain conditions only surgical exploratory diagnostics could lead to the correct diagnosis and best possible care. The extent of firework injuries is manifold and the consequences including blindness are considerable. The burden on physicians on duty on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day was enormous, as with the permission of private fireworks alarge number of patients had to be cared for via the emergency room, some of whom required complex surgical care. To prevent serious eye injuries, targeted education about the risks of private fireworks and possibilities to increase safety should be intensified.

Death on New Year’s Eve caused by illegal fireworks—a firework shell

During the turn of the year, injuries caused by fireworks occur in Germany every year. According to the professional associations, the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, for example, treats an average of 50 injuries caused by fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Patients come with burns, soft tissue injuries, or fractures; eyes and hands are particularly frequently affected. Again and again, there are also very serious or even fatal injuries. The background is usually the improper or illegal use of larger fireworks. Smaller fireworks such as sparklers, bangers, or smaller rockets are available in Germany in most supermarkets, and their use is permitted from the age of 12 or 18. However, the use of larger fireworks in Germany requires proof of an official permit to handle pyrotechnic objects, which is why they are often acquired abroad. The following report describes such a case. Shortly after the turn of the year 2022, a young man died as a result of an explosive effect on the facial skull after using an illegal firework shell. The case is discussed with regard to the autopsy findings, the possible cause of the accident, and the type of firework used.

Emergency Department visits due to firework accidents in the Reykjavik capital area from 2010 to 2022

Public use of fireworks is widespread in Iceland, and unfortunately associated with injuries. No prior comprehensive research has been done on firework accidents in Iceland. The goal of this study was to gather information about the extent, cause, and impact of firework accidents in the Reykjavik capital area. Text search was conducted in medical records to find visits to the Emergency Department (ED) resulting from fireworks accidents over the period December 2010 to January 2022. Medical records were reviewed for details of events and injury. Over the period 248 patients came to the ED after a firework related injury, 73% male. The age range was from 9 months to 79 years of age. Children were 114, 12 were younger than 6 years. There where overall 54 secondary accidents. In total 96 (39%) accidents were traced to a faulty firework. Rockets caused the most accidents 56 (23%), cakes 43 (17%) and handheld candles 32 (13%). Type of firework was not reported in 62 (25%) cases. 157 sustained a burn injury, of which 104 where on hands. Eye injury was found on 67 patients and 97 individuals had open wounds. 22 where admitted to the hospital for a total of 91 days. Nobody died but at least 13 sustained permanent physical impairment due to fireworks. Over the past decade, 21 patients on average presented to the ED annually with firework injury. 73% of those injured by fireworks are male. Children make up one half of the injured and one child 5 years of age or younger sustains a firework injury every year on average. Preventive measures against firework accidents should be expanded and more restrictive regulations on their use should be considered.

565 Impact of Municipal Ordinances on Firework-Related Injuries

IntroductionThere is significant heterogeneity in firework-related legislation across the country, with some states outright banning sales, possession, and use. Others restrict the dates and types of fireworks that can be purchased. Municipalities often adopt firework ordinances that apply within their city limits, pushing the sale and use into unincorporated areas or permitting easy access to illegal fireworks for transport into city limits. We seek to understand how effective firework ordinances are at preventing firework injuries. We hypothesize lax municipal ordinances will have a limited effect on firework-related injuries.MethodsTwo time periods where the commercial sale of fireworks is legal were identified, and we reviewed patients presenting during those windows for the acute management of firework-related burns. This corresponds to June 24 – July 11 and December 20 – January 8. Patient demographics and burn outcomes were collected. Socioeconomic status was determined using a standardized scale (0-100) that incorporates Census data, with higher scores reflecting more disadvantaged communities. Legality was determined by a review of municipal ordinances and patient residence.ResultsThirty-five patients were identified between December 2016 and January 2021. More injuries occurred around July 4th compared to New Year’s (54% vs. 46%). The cohort was predominantly men (77%) with an average age of 29 years. Patients most commonly came from suburban areas (34.3%), compared to rural (25.7%), urban (20%), or small towns (17.1%). Alcohol use at the time of injury was reported in 14% of cases. Explosive fireworks (e.g., mortar shells) (63%) were more common than sparklers. Hands were the most frequently injured area (83%), but no amputations, traumatic or surgical, occurred. Eye injuries occurred in 17.1% of patients, but no long-term damage to vision was sustained. Eight patients (23.9%) required inpatient management, and six (17.1%) required operative management. Split thickness skin grafting and local tissue rearrangement were the extent of the operations performed. One patient required neurosurgical intervention after a mortar shell detonated adjacent to their cranium, representing the lone fatality in the cohort. There was no significant difference in the number of legal (18) and illegal (17) firework injuries. Socioeconomic status was not different between legal and illicit groups (46 vs. 54, p = 0.101).ConclusionsA substantial number of patients sustained firework-related injuries in municipalities where fireworks are banned, giving the impression that current ordinances are ineffective. Public health officials and legislatures may consider the more widespread implementation of regulations or increased penalties to combat firework-related injuries.

Decrease in injuries from fireworks in Hawaii: associations with a county policy to limit access

ObjectiveTo examine trends in fireworks-related injuries (FRI) before and after enactment of an ordinance to limit access in the City and County of Honolulu (the island of Oahu).MethodsSurveillance of FRI...

Injuries, treatment, and impairment caused by different types of fireworks; results of a 10\u2009year multicenter retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to evaluate the number of patients reported to a hospital with injuries from consumer fireworks in the months December–January in the past 10 years, and to describe the association between the type of fireworks, injury pattern, treatment, and permanent impairment.MethodsA multicenter, retrospective, observational case series. Patients were selected from two hospitals in the Southwest Netherlands: a level 1 trauma center and a specialized burn center. All patients with any fireworks-related injuries treated between December 1 and January 31, during 2007 (December) to 2017 (January), were eligible for participation. The primary outcome was the number of patients with any type of injury caused by fireworks. The secondary outcome measures were patient and injury characteristics, treatment details, and whole person impairment (WPI). The percentage WPI expresses a patient’s degree of permanent impairments as a result of fireworks-related injuries.ResultsOf the 297 eligible patients, 272 patients were included. From 2007 to 2017, between 21 and 40 patients were treated, and no clear increase or decrease was observed in the number of patients and in the number of patients per type of fireworks. Explosive fireworks mainly caused upper extremity (N = 65; 68%) injuries, while rockets (N = 24; 41%) and aerials (N = 7; 41%) mainly affected the head/neck. Decorative fireworks predominantly resulted in burns (N = 82; 68%), and explosive fireworks in soft tissue lacerations (N = 24; 25%), fractures (N = 16; 17%), and amputations (N = 14; 15%). Patients injured by explosive and homemade fireworks were most often admitted to a hospital (respectively N = 24; 36% and N = 12; 80%), and resulted in the highest proportion undergoing surgical procedures (respectively N = 22; 33% and N = 7; 47%). WPI found in this study was between 0 to 95%, with a median of 0%. In 34 (14%) patients, the injuries resulted in a WPI of ≥1%, mostly as a result of explosive fireworks (N = 18; 53%).ConclusionThis study found no increase or decrease in the number of patients treated in two specialized hospitals. Explosive and homemade fireworks could be considered as most dangerous, as they result into the most hospital admissions, surgical procedures, and into the most injuries with permanent impairment as a result.

Firework-related Ocular Injuries During Festival Season: A Hospitalbased Study in a Tertiary Eye Care Center of Nepal.

Firework-related ocular injuries are an important cause of preventable ocular injuries and are common during the festival season. Despite the strict legislation in Nepal, the use of a firework is still commonly used during Tihar and Chaath festivals. To evaluate demographic distribution, mode, causative firework, type of fireworks-related ocular injuries, and visual outcome at a tertiary eye hospital in Eastern Nepal. This is a hospital-based prospective interventional study. All the patients with firework-related injuries who attended the emergency and outpatient department of SCEH, Lahan, during or within 1 month of the festival season (Tihar and Chaath puja) were included in this study. Total of 65 eyes were included. The left eye was involved in 49.1%, 82.5% were males. Mean age of the patients was 15.3±14.7 years (range 5yr - 75yr). Children less than 16 years were predominantly involved (77.2%). Firecrackers (56.1%) were the most common type of fireworks causing injury. The closed globe injuries were more (78.5%) compared to open globe injuries (21.5%). Surgical management was done in 50.9% of cases. Following management visual acuity of most patients improved. Only 8 eyes (12.3%) had visual acuity less than 3/60 after management compared to 28 eyes (43.1%) at the time of presentation. Firework related ocular injuries are important causes of preventable blindness. A combined approach of public awareness about the possible dangers, preventive measures, early treatment by trained primary ophthalmic care, and implementation of strict legislations are essential to reduce blindness due to this preventable cause.

Severe Fireworks-Related Injuries: Demographic Characteristics, Injury Patterns, and Firework Types in 294 Consecutive Patients.

The relationship between fireworks and patient characteristics is not known. Our objective was to examine how severe fireworks-related injuries in children and teens compare to adults. We conducted a retrospective case series (2005-2015) study of patients who sustained consumer fireworks-related injuries requiring hospital admission and/or operation at a single level 1 trauma/burn center. The distribution of race, use behavior, injury type, body region injured, and firework type was examined by age groups, 1 to 10 years, 11 to 17 years, and 18 years or older. Data from 294 patients 1 to 61 years of age (mean, 24 years) were examined. The majority (91%) were male. The proportion of injuries from different firework types varied by age, with rockets causing the highest proportion in children aged 1 to 10 years, homemade fireworks in those aged 11 to 17 years, and shells/mortars in adults 18 years or older. Compared with adults, children aged 1 to 10 years were more frequently American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, or Asian than White. Compared with adults, children aged 1 to 10 years and 11 to 17 years were more frequently bystanders than active users. Compared with adults, children aged 1 to 10 years and 11 to 17 years had a greater proportion of burn and face injuries. Children aged 1 to 10 years had a decreased proportion of hand injuries. Three patients, 2 adults and 1 child aged 11 to 17 years, died. Children, teens, and adults experience severe fireworks-related injuries differently, by demographic characteristics, injury patterns, and firework types. Tailored public health interventions could target safety messaging and injury prevention outreach efforts to reduce firework injuries among children and adolescents.

A review of deadly accidents involving fireworks in Denmark.

The aim of this study was to describe the circumstances surrounding firework-related deaths in Denmark, locate similarities and compare findings to the other known literature. Autopsy files, including police reports, located through searches in the archives of the three Danish institutes of forensic medicine were accessed. Data describing the age, gender, toxicology findings, circumstances of the accident, cause of death, autopsy findings and type of fireworks were examined. Eight cases involving firework-related deaths matched the search criteria, two of which occurred on New Year's Eve. An unknown number of cases that had not been autopsied were confirmed to exist. Data from the included cases suggested that using illegal fireworks, being male and handling fireworks directly played a key role in deaths. Most notably, illegal fireworks account for few injuries overall but caused the most deaths found in this study. Firework-related deaths are a rare occurrence. Autopsy findings often reveal blast wave injury to be the cause of death. Only one of the eight decedents included in this study were intoxicated with alcohol. Thus it can be assumed that powerful illegal fireworks are, by themselves, a risk factor for a deadly accident, independent of alcohol intoxication.

Toxicity of particles emitted by fireworks

BackgroundParticle matter (PM) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates across the world. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that pyrotechnic firework displays introduce significant amounts of toxic metals into the atmosphere and are hazardous to human health. Size-selective emissions from 10 different fireworks displays were collected during particle generation in a dynamic, stainless steel chamber and tested for toxicity in cells. A subset of 2 particle types were tested in vivo in mice. At doses that did not produce cytotoxicity in an LDH assay, in vitro reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured in bronchial epithelial airway (BEAS-2B) and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial (HPMEC-ST1.6R) cell lines treated with size-fractionated particles from the emissions of fireworks.ResultsSignificant increases in ROS, in both cell types, were dependent upon the type of firework but not particle size. The in vitro ROS activity was correlated with lung inflammation produced in groups of mice treated by oropharyngeal aspiration with 0, 50, or 100 μg fireworks PM10/mouse. Trace metal analyses of the PM10 samples showed significant differences in metal content among fireworks type. Interestingly, the PM10 sample for the fireworks type producing the greatest in vitro ROS response in BEAS-2B cells contained ~ 40,000 and ~ 12,000 ppm of lead and copper, respectively. This sample also produced the greatest inflammatory response (i.e., increased neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) in mice.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that pyrotechnic display particles can produce adverse effects in mammalian cells and lungs, thus suggesting that further research is needed to expand our understanding of the contribution of metal content to the adverse health effects of fireworks particles. This information will lead to the manufacture of safer fireworks.

Prediction and assessment of fly-up type of fireworks by thermokinetics model

In consumer fireworks, various functions of chemicals create an energetic reaction with a type of colored light, smoke, heat, and the sound to achieve the pyrotechnic effects. Fireworks mixtures may be highly sensitive to external disturbances such as ignition sources, temperature changes, shocks, friction, and static electricity. Approximately 95% of fireworks are imported from China by ocean shipment, taking 4 days to a week to Taiwan. The prediction and assessment for the nth-order reaction, and thermokinetic parameters from thermal safety model for fireworks and pyrotechnic compositions were investigated. This study showed which reaction intensity of the propellant as water was added. It can be seen from the results that water will affect the thermal hazard of propellant. Moreover, the novel findings indicated that the water increased the thermal hazard of the propellant and consequently increased the risk for launching a degradation. Based on the heat transfer theoretical models, the time to maximum rate and time to conversion limit were extrapolated for consideration and discussion.

Firework-related genitourinary trauma: a single institution case series.

The clinical impact of firework-related genitourinary trauma remains unknown. In this study, we aim to characterize injury patterns, interventions, and clinical outcomes of firework-related genitourinary injuries and evaluate the relationship with certain firework types. A retrospective case series was conducted for patients treated at a level I trauma center from 2005 to 2019 who experienced firework-related genitourinary trauma. Fifteen patients sustained firework-related genitourinary injuries. Injury patterns, operative interventions, clinical outcomes, as well as details of firework type were examined. Firework-related genitourinary injuries were identified in 15 trauma patients. Mean age was 29.7years (± 14.3, standard deviation), all (100%) patients were male, and most (11; 73.3%) were Caucasian. Average length of stay (LOS) was 10.5days, and 4 (26.7%) patients required ICU admission. Ten (66.7%) patients underwent 28 operative interventions (mean 1.9 per patient), 7 (46.7%) of whom underwent 15 urologic specific intervention (mean 1.0 per patient). No injury-related deaths occurred. Considering firework type, 10 (66.7%) patients had mortar or shell-related injuries, while 3 (20.0%) involved firecrackers, and 2 (13.3%) involved bottle rockets. All (100%) patients sustained injuries that occurred with the use of legally obtained fireworks and 11 (73.3%) were active users. Firework-related genitourinary injuries occurred most frequently in young men, lead to polytrauma with the scrotum and penis being the most common urologic sites, had high operative rates, and were most commonly associated with legally obtained fireworks, specifically mortar and shell fireworks. Further investigation is needed to understand the long-term sequelae of these injuries.

Assessment of Firework-Related Ocular Injury in the US

Fireworks are popularly used for recreation but can lead to potentially blinding injuries. Studies quantifying the trend and national prevalence of firework-related ocular injuries are limited. To characterize firework-related ocular injuries treated in emergency departments (EDs) in the US from 1999 to 2017. This cross-sectional study used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a stratified probability sample of more than 100 hospital-affiliated US EDs representing more than 5300 nationwide hospitals. Deidentified individuals in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database who experienced eye injury due to fireworks between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2017, were included. Analysis began February 2019. Annual prevalence of firework-related ocular injury, firework type stratified by demographic information, diagnosis, event location/date, and patient disposition. A total of 34 548 firework-related ocular injuries were seen in US EDs during the 19-year study period (estimated from 1007 individuals in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database). Overall, 664 individuals (65.9%) were 18 years or younger, 724 (71.9%) were male, and 512 (50.8%) were white. Twenty-eight patients (2.8%) sustained a ruptured globe, while 633 (62.9%) sustained ocular burn injuries, 118 (11.7%) had ocular foreign bodies, 97 (9.6%) had conjunctival irritation, and 46 (4.6%) experienced other severe eye trauma. Of 1007 individuals, 911 (90.5%) were treated and released without transfer, while 87 (8.7%) required admission or transfer to another hospital. The most common specified firework types included firecrackers (193 [19.2%]), bottle rockets (177 [17.6%]), sparklers (88 [8.7%]), roman candles (66 [6.6%]), and novelty devices (65 [6.5%]) (eg, poppers and snappers). Bottle rockets disproportionately caused the most severe injuries, including ruptured globe (odds ratio, 5.82; 95% CI, 2.72-12.46; P < .001). A total of 411 cases (74.9%) occurred at home. Injuries most commonly occurred near the time of Independence Day and New Year's Day: 707 patients (70.2%) presented in July, 74 (7.4%) in June, 101 (10.0%) in January, and 47 (4.7%) in December. These findings support that firework-related ocular injuries range from mild irritation to ruptured globe, and most occur frequently in those who are young, male, and white. Focused preventive methods and regulations may be imperative in decreasing fireworks-related ocular morbidity, namely from bottle rockets and especially near national holidays.

752 Single-center Experience with 4th of July Fireworks Injuries

Abstract Introduction Despite existing restrictions and laws related to sale and use of fireworks, prevention of firework injuries has not reached its goal line. The purpose of this project is to identify impact of firework injuries and to seek for any trends or patterns. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of 2019 firework related injuries treated at our burn center and obtained 2017–2019 firework data from the County Firework Authority. All patients treated in the month of July 2019 at emergency department, clinic, and inpatient service were included. Data extracted include patient demographics, nature of injury, type of firework involved, location, treatment, and length of stay. Results A total of 24 cases were reported to the county and 14 patients received care for firework related injuries in our center. Additionally, four out of the fourteen patients reported or screened to be positive for alcohol, THC and or toxic drug. Further, three of the incidents happened in cities not permitted for firework. Even though total burn surface area was less than 5% for all patients, 50% of patients required surgical treatment, including amputation of fingers for one patient. Hand burn was observed to be the most (78%) common body part affected. Conclusions Preventable injuries of 14 cases related to fireworks in a single burn center around a holiday could be considered a large group. However, our center is in a county with less than national average firework injuries and had reported fourteen less cases in 2019 than 2018. Further, only 10 out of 34 cities in the county have firework permits. “Safe and sane” fireworks, allowed in the 10 permitted cities, were named only in a single incident. The majority of incidents involved fireworks illegal in all cities of the county, including M-80’s, firecrackers, mortars, roman candles and bottle rockets. Cities were probably safer in 2019 due to significantly larger (5965lbs) confiscated fireworks. While 2019 injuries is relatively lesser in volume compared to previous years and other locations, significant injuries leading to surgery and loss of body part requires further preventive work. Applicability of Research to Practice There is a need for increased education and prevention efforts regarding fireworks and potential for burn injury. This education needs to include both the device user and associated bystanders. Advocacy should involve the development of safety features for these devices and additional stringent policies and law enforcement.

Clinical Profile of Patients with Manus Fracture Caused by Firecracker Blast

Background: Fireworks are traditionally used by various cultures or groups for celebrations. Estimated 10,000 to 12,600 people are injured because of fireworks in America every year. The type of fireworks that cause the highest injury is firecrackers with the incidence rate of 30% to 67% of all cases of injury due to fireworks. Indo­nesia is a country with the largest Muslim popu­lation in the world and firecrackers are often used to welcome Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. This study aimed to report the Clinical pro­file of patients with manus fracture caused by firecracker blast. Case Presentation: The case study was taken from patients of Karima Utama Surgical Hos­pital, Surakarta, Indonesia, during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (from May 14 to June 15) 2018. A total of 36 patients were fractured due to firework explosions recorded in medical records during that period. Data such as gender, age and fracture diagnosis were collected in this study. Results: Males have a higher prevalence of 28 (78%) than female 8 (22%), with the highest group age between 11 to 20 years with 11 cases (31%) and more than 60 years being the lowest age group with 2 (6 %) cases of a total of 36 res­pon­dents. The right hand as the dominant hand has an injury incidence rate of 31 (86%) com­pa­red to the left hand 5 (14%) and more often oc­curs single fracture 22 (61%) compared to mul­ti­ple fractures 14 (39%) including the amputated phalanx. Conclusion: Our study showed 36 patients had fractures of the manus due to firecrackers, with the majority of male victims 28 (78%) and single manus fractures 22 (61%) with the right-hand dominance at the age between 11 to 20 years. Keywords: manus fracture, firecracker Correspondence: Pamudji Utomo. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopedics Hospital, Surakarta. Email: utomodr­@ya­hoo.­com. Indonesian Journal of Medicine (2020), 05(01): 57-62 https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2020.05.01.09

Profile of firecracker injuries of the eye during Diwali: A tertiary eye-care center study

Aims and Objectives: The aim was to study the demographic pattern, clinical features, management, and prognosis of the patients with firecracker-related ocular injuries during Diwali. Materials and Methods: This institution-based prospective study was done in 30 patients who attended eye emergency and outpatient department (OPD) of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, during the period of 1 week of Diwali in 2016 and 2017. The parameters studied were the age and sex of the patients, type of firework (crackers and sparklers), eye involved, severity of injury with respect to active and passive participants, management, severity of injury, and visual outcome with respect to type of firecrackers. Results: A total of 30 patients attended eye OPD and emergency during our study period, of which 23 (76.7%) were male and 7 (23.3%) were female. All of them were in the pediatric age group (1–15). All patients were examined on the day of injury. Patients between 6 and 10 years of age were most commonly affected. Four cases (13.3%) were open-globe injuries and 26 (86.7%) cases were closed-globe injuries. Visual acuity varied from 6/9 to no perception of light. The most common firework involved was the crackers. Conclusions: Careless and indiscriminate use of firecrackers may sometimes lead to serious ocular damage. In India, use of fireworks is quite common during various festivals, particularly during Diwali, thus fireworks-related ocular injuries are important causes of blindness. This prospective study revealed the presentation and outcome of ocular injuries due to firecrackers in this area of mixed culture during this festive week.

Ozone from fireworks: Chemical processes or measurement interference?

Fireworks have been identified as one ozone source by photolyzing NO2 or O2 and are believed to potentially be important for the nighttime ozone during firework events. In this study, we conducted both lab and field experiments to test two types of fireworks with low and high energy with the goal to distinguish whether the visible ozone signal during firework displays is real. The results suggest that previous understanding of the ozone formation mechanism during fireworks is misunderstood. Ultraviolet ray (UV)-based ozone monitors are interfered by aerosols and some specific VOCs. High-energy fireworks emit high concentrations of particular matters and low VOCs that the artificial ozone can be easily removed by an aerosol filter. Low-energy fireworks emit large amounts of VOCs mostly from the combustion of the cardboard from fireworks that largely interferes with the ozone monitor. Benzene and phenol might be major contributors to the artificial ozone signal. We further checked the nighttime ozone concentration in Jinan and Beijing, China, during Chinese New Year, a period with intense fireworks. A signal of 3–8ppbv ozone was detected and positively correlated to NO and SO2, suggesting a considerable influence of these chemicals in interfering with ambient ozone monitoring.

Ocular trauma from fireworks during diwali festival

Background: Fireworks are an important part of festivals in India, especially Diwali. The use of these fireworks often result in ocular trauma with a loss of vision. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of eye injuries from fireworks during the Diwali festival and the visual outcome at a tertiary eye hospital in south India. Materials and Methods: The cases of ocular trauma from fireworks over a 3-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Information regarding patient’s age, gender, laterality, the type of firework, whether user or bystander, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation, the details of injuries, diagnosis, management, and BCVA at last follow-up visit were documented and analyzed using Epi Info 7.1.5.0 software. Results: A total of 114 eyes of 110 patients were analyzed. The study population comprised 89 (81%) males and 21 (19%) females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.2:1. The median age was 14.0 years, with 61 (56%) patients aged 0.5. Twenty-two (19%) eyes developed long-term complications such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, and phthisis bulbi. Conclusion: Ocular trauma from fireworks commonly affects young boys and often results in serious, preventable, vision-threatening complications. The enforcement of existing legislation, health education, and public awareness are essential if the current trend in India is to be reversed.

In situ Analysis of Fireworks Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Different types of fireworks are analyzed using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. The system employed for spectral acquisition consists of a Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, FWHM = 4 ns) and an Andor Mechelle ME 5000 echelle spectrometer. The presence of Ba, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, Sr, Si, and Al is identified in the LIBS spectra of different fireworks. These elements can mix easily into the surroundings and thus pollute the environment. In combination with LIBS, multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis, are employed for qualitative classification, regression, and prediction purposes. These methods show good applicability for the classification and prediction of a large data set.

Fireworks type, injury pattern, and permanent impairment following severe fireworks-related injuries

BackgroundThere is a paucity of clinical data on severe fireworks-related injuries, and the relationship between firework types, injury patterns, and magnitude of impairment is not well understood. Our objective was to describe the relationship between fireworks type, injury patterns, and impairment. MethodsRetrospective case series (2005–2015) of patients who sustained consumer fireworks-related injuries requiring hospital admission and/or an operation at a Level 1 Trauma/Burn Center. Fireworks types, injury patterns (body region, injury type), operation, and permanent impairment were examined. ResultsData from 294 patients 1 to 61years of age (mean 24years) were examined. The majority (90%) were male. 119 (40%) patients were admitted who did not undergo surgery, 163 (55%) patients required both admission and surgery, and 12 (5%) patients underwent outpatient surgery. The greatest proportion of injuries was related to shells/mortars (39%). There were proportionally more rocket injuries in children (44%), more homemade firework injuries in teens (34%), and more shell/mortar injuries in adults (86%). Brain, face, and hand injuries were disproportionately represented in the shells/mortars group. Seventy percent of globe-injured patients experienced partial or complete permanent vision loss. Thirty-seven percent of hand-injured patients required at least one partial or whole finger/hand amputation. The greatest proportion of eye and hand injuries resulting in permanent impairment was in the shells/mortars group, followed by homemade fireworks. Two patients died. ConclusionsSevere fireworks-related injuries from homemade fireworks and shells/mortars have specific injury patterns. Shells/mortars disproportionately cause permanent impairment from eye and hand injury.