Firework...

The good thing about Australia is that people are not allowed to light fireworks so everyone can enjoy the beautiful fireworks at Australia day organised by professionals.

That was different in Holland! Coming from a farm I wasn't used to the loud bangs and smoke of firework until I went to study in the city. Everyone in Holland is allowed to light firework and people spend a lot, about 140 milion A$ per year! Just to celebrate New Year!

Especial young guys like the loud bangs and smoke to scare the girls they don't bother the nice ones, they want it rough! 1,100 people where in hospital last year due to a firework accident! Most of them under 15 years old, missing fingers, eyes, toes, etc.

The first time I saw it I couldn't believe my eyes, it was like war had started, bangs and smoke all over the place. Not to speak about the mess the next morning...

My father was always very grumpy about it, he, as a small farmer, had to pay lots of taxes because of the cow manure (he had 22 cows) but all over the place people could litter and damage everything without paying any fees. He spend all night in the shed with his best pregnant horses to keep them calm, as we could hear the bangs from the distant village.

How bad is it actually for the environment?
Besides the rubbish left behind (paper, metal, plastic, ceramics, dust, etc) there is poisonous dust which contains CO2, carbon monoxide, N2O, sulphur dioxide, methane and sulphur hydrogene etc. This not only polutes the air but also the waterways.