Americans and Canadians could be celebrating the Fourth of July and Canada Day in a fog of dioxins after their usual fireworks displays this weekend. Researchers at the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany have found high levels of the toxic chemicals in fireworks. In the latest issue of Chemosphere (), they say that blue fireworks release the most dioxins. This is because the copper responsible for their colour catalyses the formation of the poisons when chlorinated chemicals in the fireworks burn.
More from 91av
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 91av articles
1
100-year-old assumption about the universe may soon be overturned
2
How your heart rate variability can offer an insight into your mind
3
Largest-ever octopus was great white shark of invertebrate predators
4
The monstrous number sequences that break the rules of mathematics
5
Huge study reveals how Epstein-Barr virus may cause multiple sclerosis
6
Why your opinion of used electric vehicles is probably wrong
7
QBox theory may offer glimpse of reality deeper than quantum realm
8
Why the right kind of stress is crucial for your health and happiness
9
Why quantum physics says there’s a multiverse
10
The bombshell results that demand a new theory of the universe
