The goal of my research is to determine the presence and volume of toxic metals in three types of colored sparklers, as well as the potential harm such metals pose upon inhalation. Sparklers work by using an assortment of metals to produce various types of colored flames upon ignition, my research will specifically be looking at sparklers that produce red, blue, and green flames. Proximity to the reaction and subsequent fumes pose a potential risk to adults and children. Respiratory exposure to such fumes could result in a multitude of health conditions ranging from lung irritation to permeant nerve/cell damage. The research will be broken into three stages with plans for a fourth stage pending results from the first three. Stage one aims to determine the chemical composition of unburnt sparklers in their entirety. Stage two will determine the chemical composition of the sparklers following the reaction and will have a near identical procedure. Stage three will work to collect the composition of the fumes produced by the reaction. All chemical analysis from stages I-III will be done using a digestor. The fourth stage of research will entail inputting findings from prior stages into computer software to generate the expected toxicological effects the sparklers would have on the human body. The implication of such findings would prove insightful into understanding the potential risk posed to people by sparklers and children in particular. This topic of research closely correlates with my undergraduate education in biochemistry in which I’ve gained a great deal of understanding in field of chemistry and its more direct involvement in biological functions. This research comprises that same duality of understanding in which I will isolate the chemical composition of sparklers and then subsequently examine their implication on human anatomy and functionality.

Examination of trace metal content in sparklers: Implications of exposure

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