Red, White And Blue - And Green

Seeking Less-hazardous Chemical For Fireworks

But David E. Chavez, who remains a Los Alamos chemist, said research continues at his lab and elsewhere into environmentally friendly oxidizers and fuel ingredients that could be used eventually in big fireworks displays - and by the military, which uses much larger amounts of perchlorate in its missiles and rockets.

"To my knowledge, there are no green products sold for large Fourth of July-type displays, in large part due to the cost," he said. "I believe the products are closing in on being cost-competitive, though. We tried to get a collaborative effort between DMD Systems, [the lab] and the city of Los Alamos to become the first city to go perchlorate free, on the Fourth, but the deal was not approved."

Conkling said a lower-end municipal fireworks display can cost $50,000. That's what Baltimore averages for shows launched from barges in the Inner Harbor, though this year's show will cost slightly less because there will be live rather than choreographed music. Baltimore County plans to spend $60,000 on entertainment and fireworks.

A major city spectacle, however, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the high-tech pyrotechnics would likely cost many times that because the ingredients aren't readily available. Buyers have pressured manufacturers to begin scaling back their use of perchlorate, just as they had done to rid fireworks of lead, mercury and arsenic. Manufacturers have responded by subbing some perchlorate with nitrates, or common fertilizer, which Conkling says is better.

Until the really green stuff becomes commonplace, Conkling has some advice. "For anyone watching a Fourth of July fireworks show, the primary concern should be to stay behind the safety barriers. If smoke is blowing your way, move to get out of the way because there is no smoke that is good for the human lung, from exhaust or fireworks."