The Environmental Impact of Fireworks in the City of Dubrovnik

Fireworks have a long history of commemorating special occasions around the world. What is not often acknowledged is the harmful health and environmental effects that are produced from firework usage. Inhalation of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 µm and release of perchlorate into soil and surface water can cause serious short and long-term issues. The lack of education surrounding firework pollution makes them a silent environmental hazard, causing more harm than realized. A case study was conducted in the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia to better understand both the public’s and city’s awareness surrounding firework pollution. An interview with a senior maritime advisor of the city of Dubrovnik along with a media content analysis on local media archives were conducted to gain a better grasp of the current awareness. Both the interview and media content analysis revealed that the city of Dubrovnik is unaware of potential firework pollution and the harm presented towards the environment and human health. While noise pollution was a concern regarding animals, no definitive actions were taken to prevent this issue. While the environmental effects of fireworks were not a concern of the city, there are still actions that can be taken to reduce future harm. The first step is conducting primary research to gauge the extent of pollution in Dubrovnik after firework displays. Once this is established as a baseline, solutions can be implemented such as using eco-friendly firework alternatives to reduce the amount of environmental har