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BEFORE we look for those firecracker stands to celebrate the New Year with a bang, we have to remind ourselves that firecrackers not only produce noise pollution but are also toxic to humans, animals and the environment.
Also, with money so hard to come by these days, lighting firecrackers is literally burning hard-earned money away while putting the safety and health of people and animals around us at grave risk.
But centralized pyrotechnic display – as suggested by the government – does not solve the problem either. It is undeniably pouring money down the drain and should be discouraged. We propose that public funds earmarked for fireworks should instead be used to buy books for school libraries, build more classrooms and set up community recycling facilities.
Filipinos should turn away from the bloody, dirty and costly rites of welcoming the New Year. Firecrackers can cause serious if not fatal injuries. Incorrect handling can lead to the loss of limbs, lives and properties.
Firecrackers produce smoke and dust loaded with harmful chemicals that can aggravate the poor air quality and cause throat and chest congestion and other health problems, particularly for people with asthma and chemical sensitivities.
They also leave behind unwanted discards such as paper scraps, cellophane and plastic wrappers, and PVC pipes from “boga” that add to the mountains of holiday trash.
Yes, firecrackers produce deafening noise that can lead to anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, and hearing disabilities, and trigger high blood pressure and heart attack.
And yes, firecrackers can result to severe ear injuries, too, in animals that are more sensitive to sound. The noise hurts their ears, terrifies them, and causes them to run wildly or lose their navigational skills.
Lastly, firecrackers waste money that should be spent instead to buy food for the table, clothes and books for the children and other essential needs.
Zero injury, death and pollution from firecrackers are definitely the better way to welcome the New Year.
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