Dear Editor,

It is that time when I see requests for donations toward funding Fourth of July fireworks. Recently, I learned something most disturbing, which would best be shared.

The beautiful colors in our fireworks are created using forever toxic chemicals, which remain in the water and soil forever! These cannot be treated by our City Water Treatment Plant, which can only remove E. coli bacteria. Everything else that goes into our soil, street drains, or lands over and into Lake Huron and Thunder Bay River is ultimately ingested by all of us, now and into the future…our future unborn.

In 2024, I found health facts in Moffitt Cancer Center Publication, Take Charge: Your Life. Your Health. Our Mission. “The Toxic Beauty of Fireworks”

“Carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals released by fireworks can later invade the body through contaminated water or soil…affecting the endocrine system, immune system, gastrointestinal system and metabolism, as well as the neurotransmitters in the brain.”

We have the power to do our part to eliminate what contributes to causing these illnesses and cancer in the first place.

Many communities are using water shows, light shows, boat parades, and drone shows to celebrate. If this community wishes to protect our today’s young, the future young, and ourselves from illness and cancer, please talk to your community and city leaders to get on board for alternatives to toxic fireworks. This “Can Do” community can do this! Think, 20 minutes of toxic fireworks resulting in forever contamination. Is it really worth it?

“The Toxic Beauty of Fireworks”.Moffitt Cancer Center, Take Charge: Your Life. Your Health. Our Mission,1 Jul.2016, Take Charge Story Archive (/takecharge/takechargestoryarchive/)

MARY ALICE COMAR,

Ossineke