UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Each year, millions of pounds of fireworks illuminate the skies across the United States, captivating audiences with their dazzling displays. What many people may not realize is that perchlorate, a significant ingredient in fireworks, may pose potential health risks to humans and animals.
Perchlorate, a chemical that can be found in small amounts in the environment, is manufactured for use in combustible materials, including fireworks and other explosives. Human exposure to high dosages of perchlorate can decrease the production of thyroid hormone, a hormone needed for normal development and body function, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kim Van Meter, assistant professor of geography at Penn State, is part of a team that aims to shed light on a potentially hazardous consequence of these mesmerizing displays.
As part of a $2.2 million project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Van Meter will work to assess the presence of perchlorate from fireworks in lakes, rivers and streams around the country. According to Van Meter, the urgency of this research is further underscored by a recent appeals court ruling, which mandates the EPA to regulate perchlorate in drinking water due to its negative impacts on human health.
“Residual non-combusted perchlorate particles can settle on the ground or water surface and some studies have shown elevated concentrations of perchlorate in both surface and groundwaters occurring near the firework displays,” Van Meter said. “Despite these findings, there is a dearth of comprehensive data regarding the broader relationship between firework use and drinking water contamination. Our research endeavors to bridge this knowledge gap.”
Van Meter and her team will conduct field studies across diverse sites, capturing data both before and after community fireworks displays. They will consider factors such as the quantity of fireworks consumed, the dilution potential of the water source and the rate of biological perchlorate attenuation to comprehensively assess the variables at play. Additionally, the team will analyze aerial deposition patterns at both local and national levels. They will also conduct nationwide surveys of public water supply intakes and model watershed and population data to provide a comprehensive understanding of perchlorate contamination in relation to fireworks events.
“We aim to curate a robust dataset that will not only refine existing models but also expand our understanding of the temporal response of perchlorate concentrations in drinking water supplies to fireworks usage,” Van Meter said. “Importantly, the survey results will provide valuable insights into the direct impact of fireworks on drinking water sources. Furthermore, the project will culminate in the development of a predictive screening model, tailored to specific hydraulic, hydrologic and ecological conditions, as well as the intensity of fireworks usage, enabling proactive assessment of potential impacts, which can be used to inform future regulations designed to safeguard public health.”
Other researchers on the project include Andrew Jackson, Todd Anderson and Balaji Rao from Texas Tech University; John Coates from the University of California, Berkeley; Sarah Ledford from Georgia State University; Neil Sturchio from the University of Delaware; and Jacimaria Batista from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.