Swiss fireworks release up to 400 tonnes of particulate matter

According to the Swiss federal authorities, fireworks release 200 to 400 tonnes of particulate matter every year. On Saturday, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) drew attention to the environmental impact of fireworks in view of the upcoming New Year's Eve. According to the Federal Office of Police, between 1,000 and 2,000 tonnes of fireworks are used in Switzerland, particularly on the national holiday and at the new year celebrations. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Pyrotechnic firework sets account for a quarter of this, with the rest being packaging made of wood, cardboard, plastic or clay. In addition to black powder, the firework sets also consist of colouring metal compounds. According to the Federal Office for the Environment, these fireworks produce around 200 to 400 tons of particulate matter per year. This means that fireworks account for one to two percent of total annual emissions. The particulate matter also ends up in soil and ...