ILLINOIS FIREWORKS BAN MUST BE ENFORCED
ILLINOIS FIREWORKS BAN MUST BE ENFORCED
The Issue
Adverse Effects of fireworks on people, animals, and property. Illegal use of fireworks is dangerous and a public nuisance. Fireworks can burn down your house. Noise from fireworks can cause distress to many, including animals.
There are no kinds of fireworks that are legal in Illinois. ... The Pyrotechnic Use Act ("PUA") in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks.” That's the stuff you can buy legally in some states, like firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles.
Federal law classifies most fireworks as “banned hazardous substances.” Federal regulations specifically ban M-80s and cherry bombs, along with any firecrackers that make a sound “produced by a charge of more than 2 grains of pyrotechnic composition.” They’re banned because “the public health and safety can be served only by keeping such articles out of interstate commerce.”
The Pyrotechnic Use Act ("PUA") in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks.” That’s the stuff you can buy legally in some states, like firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles. Violating the PUA can result in up to 1 year in prison and a $2500 fine.
Indiana’s fireworks laws are very similar to Illinois. It’s a mystery how they get away with selling fireworks over there. But they do, so the Hoosiers must have figured out a loophole.
INJURY
Thousands of people are injured every year by sparklers and firecrackers (novelties and noisemakers), which many people would consider nearly harmless. They are unpredictable; they can explode unexpectedly and go off in the wrong direction. Fireworks lead to burns, loss of a finger, amputation of your hand, surgery and/or hospitalization.
FIRE RISK
Fireworks cause significant property loss and damage. During a drought that Illinois is experiencing this year in 2021, the cost of damage is even greater.
POLLUTANTS
Modern fireworks are usually made out of charcoal, sulfur fuel (the two ingredients that actually blow up) and potassium nitrate or perchlorates (chemicals that speed up the explosion). Perchlorates are problematic because high doses have been shown to negatively affect the human thyroid gland, leading to wide range of disorders. Perchlorates in fireworks should theoretically incinerate in the sky before ever making it back to the ground. However, studies have shown that not all perchlorate is combusted in fireworks, so it can and does end up in the environment.
HEALTH RISK
Individuals with asthma or chemical sensitivities may experience negative effects from firework materials regardless of any specific chemical toxicity. The shrapnel from explosions is a lung irritant that leaves behind debris on the ground and in the water. In general, the more colorful the elaborate the show, the more debris it will produce. When it comes to pollution, less is always better.
PETS
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) sees an increase in calls concerning pets who have ingested fireworks, or are having issues due to the loud noises they make.
Your dog may bark at the noises or try to run away and hide. He may show other signs of anxiety, too, like restlessness, panting, pacing and whining.
The chemicals are also dangerous for cats and dogs, just as they are for humans with respiratory diseases such as asthma. Careless use of fireworks can also cause mutilations and fatal accidents in animals near the event, as well as causing fires that harm animals.
There is evidence that birds can die from fear. They can die of heart attacks. They can fly up together and knock against each other, or hit windows or electric power lines. One well-documented case was in 2010 when over 5,000 red-winged blackbirds died in Beebe, Arkansas (in the US), after a fireworks display. Radar data shows that “tens of thousands of birds explode into the flight promptly at midnight when the public fireworks shows began, says Forbes.
BABIES AND TODDLERS
Children are most vulnerable. Infants should NOT be exposed to fireworks, because they generally experience the greatest amount of sound pressure. Exposure to loud sounds can result in the following: Tinnitus – ringing in the ears, which can be a symptom of hearing loss. If a family is too close to a fireworks display, the smoke produced by the explosions can be harmful or irritating to babies, said Kevin Borrup, associate director of the Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.
VETERANS
For some combat veterans, the Fourth of July is not a time to celebrate the independence of the country they love. Instead, the holiday is a terrifying ordeal. That’s because the noise of fireworks – loud, sudden, and reminiscent of war – rocks their nervous system. Daily fireworks in many US cities in recent weeks have no doubt been interfering with the sleep and peace of mind of thousands of veterans.
The random explosion of fireworks can trigger a startle response in people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental health condition develops in some people after they witness a shocking, scary or dangerous event.
HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss due to loud noises is another common injury around the Fourth of July. Any noise above 85 decibels is considered unsafe, and most firecrackers produce sounds starting at 125 decibels. Children are the most vulnerable. Robert Ivory, director of audiology services, said people often forget about the dangers of loud noises. “The explosion from a single firecracker at close range can lead to permanent hearing damage in an instant,” Ivory said. “Noise-induced hearing loss can be life-changing, but it is highly preventable.”
Warning signs of hearing damage: Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in the ears immediately after exposure to noise. Difficulty understanding speech after exposure to noise (you can hear people talk, but not understand them). If either persists more than 24 hours, contact your primary care provider for an appointment. He or she may also refer you to a hearing specialist.
WHAT IS APPROPRATE AND AN ALTERNATIVE
If you’re looking for fireworks safety tips from the CPSC, NFPA, the American Red Cross, or the National Safety Council (NSC) the first thing you’ll find is the overwhelming recommendation NOT to use fireworks at home. Enjoy a professional display instead – they employ complete safety protocols and commercial-grade pyrotechnics for a superior show.
PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE. THANK YOU.
PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION:
Additional petitions:
https://www.change.org/p/clover-moore-ban-fireworks-for-2021-nye
https://www.change.org/p/doug-ducey-ban-consumer-fireworks-in-az
332
The Issue
Adverse Effects of fireworks on people, animals, and property. Illegal use of fireworks is dangerous and a public nuisance. Fireworks can burn down your house. Noise from fireworks can cause distress to many, including animals.
There are no kinds of fireworks that are legal in Illinois. ... The Pyrotechnic Use Act ("PUA") in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks.” That's the stuff you can buy legally in some states, like firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles.
Federal law classifies most fireworks as “banned hazardous substances.” Federal regulations specifically ban M-80s and cherry bombs, along with any firecrackers that make a sound “produced by a charge of more than 2 grains of pyrotechnic composition.” They’re banned because “the public health and safety can be served only by keeping such articles out of interstate commerce.”
The Pyrotechnic Use Act ("PUA") in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks.” That’s the stuff you can buy legally in some states, like firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles. Violating the PUA can result in up to 1 year in prison and a $2500 fine.
Indiana’s fireworks laws are very similar to Illinois. It’s a mystery how they get away with selling fireworks over there. But they do, so the Hoosiers must have figured out a loophole.
INJURY
Thousands of people are injured every year by sparklers and firecrackers (novelties and noisemakers), which many people would consider nearly harmless. They are unpredictable; they can explode unexpectedly and go off in the wrong direction. Fireworks lead to burns, loss of a finger, amputation of your hand, surgery and/or hospitalization.
FIRE RISK
Fireworks cause significant property loss and damage. During a drought that Illinois is experiencing this year in 2021, the cost of damage is even greater.
POLLUTANTS
Modern fireworks are usually made out of charcoal, sulfur fuel (the two ingredients that actually blow up) and potassium nitrate or perchlorates (chemicals that speed up the explosion). Perchlorates are problematic because high doses have been shown to negatively affect the human thyroid gland, leading to wide range of disorders. Perchlorates in fireworks should theoretically incinerate in the sky before ever making it back to the ground. However, studies have shown that not all perchlorate is combusted in fireworks, so it can and does end up in the environment.
HEALTH RISK
Individuals with asthma or chemical sensitivities may experience negative effects from firework materials regardless of any specific chemical toxicity. The shrapnel from explosions is a lung irritant that leaves behind debris on the ground and in the water. In general, the more colorful the elaborate the show, the more debris it will produce. When it comes to pollution, less is always better.
PETS
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) sees an increase in calls concerning pets who have ingested fireworks, or are having issues due to the loud noises they make.
Your dog may bark at the noises or try to run away and hide. He may show other signs of anxiety, too, like restlessness, panting, pacing and whining.
The chemicals are also dangerous for cats and dogs, just as they are for humans with respiratory diseases such as asthma. Careless use of fireworks can also cause mutilations and fatal accidents in animals near the event, as well as causing fires that harm animals.
There is evidence that birds can die from fear. They can die of heart attacks. They can fly up together and knock against each other, or hit windows or electric power lines. One well-documented case was in 2010 when over 5,000 red-winged blackbirds died in Beebe, Arkansas (in the US), after a fireworks display. Radar data shows that “tens of thousands of birds explode into the flight promptly at midnight when the public fireworks shows began, says Forbes.
BABIES AND TODDLERS
Children are most vulnerable. Infants should NOT be exposed to fireworks, because they generally experience the greatest amount of sound pressure. Exposure to loud sounds can result in the following: Tinnitus – ringing in the ears, which can be a symptom of hearing loss. If a family is too close to a fireworks display, the smoke produced by the explosions can be harmful or irritating to babies, said Kevin Borrup, associate director of the Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.
VETERANS
For some combat veterans, the Fourth of July is not a time to celebrate the independence of the country they love. Instead, the holiday is a terrifying ordeal. That’s because the noise of fireworks – loud, sudden, and reminiscent of war – rocks their nervous system. Daily fireworks in many US cities in recent weeks have no doubt been interfering with the sleep and peace of mind of thousands of veterans.
The random explosion of fireworks can trigger a startle response in people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental health condition develops in some people after they witness a shocking, scary or dangerous event.
HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss due to loud noises is another common injury around the Fourth of July. Any noise above 85 decibels is considered unsafe, and most firecrackers produce sounds starting at 125 decibels. Children are the most vulnerable. Robert Ivory, director of audiology services, said people often forget about the dangers of loud noises. “The explosion from a single firecracker at close range can lead to permanent hearing damage in an instant,” Ivory said. “Noise-induced hearing loss can be life-changing, but it is highly preventable.”
Warning signs of hearing damage: Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in the ears immediately after exposure to noise. Difficulty understanding speech after exposure to noise (you can hear people talk, but not understand them). If either persists more than 24 hours, contact your primary care provider for an appointment. He or she may also refer you to a hearing specialist.
WHAT IS APPROPRATE AND AN ALTERNATIVE
If you’re looking for fireworks safety tips from the CPSC, NFPA, the American Red Cross, or the National Safety Council (NSC) the first thing you’ll find is the overwhelming recommendation NOT to use fireworks at home. Enjoy a professional display instead – they employ complete safety protocols and commercial-grade pyrotechnics for a superior show.
PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE. THANK YOU.
PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION:
Additional petitions:
https://www.change.org/p/clover-moore-ban-fireworks-for-2021-nye
https://www.change.org/p/doug-ducey-ban-consumer-fireworks-in-az
332
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Petition created on June 20, 2021