DDHK. ORG – Many firecrackers are sounded during celebrations, both on the eve of Idul Fitri or at the turn of the year. Although it is fun to play and look at, it turns out that firecrackers can have a bad effect on health.
Reporting from Kompas, inhaled firecracker smoke can trigger respiratory disorders, can even cause heart attacks in those who have a history of heart disease.
Besides being dangerous for breathing, firecrackers will also have a negative effect on hearing, vision, and trigger throat disorders. For more details, find out the reasons why firecrackers are dangerous for the following health.
Here are some reasons why firecrackers are dangerous for health that you need to know:
Increases the Risk of Respiratory Disorders
Reporting from Republic of the Philippines Department of Health, firecrackers that are lit increase the level of harmful pollutants (SPM), carbon monoxide (CO), NOx, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the air.
Exposure to polluted air will be harmful to health, especially for pregnant women, children, and people who have a history of asthma. Meanwhile, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, exposure to firecracker smoke in the short term can increase the risk of lung disease, asthma and acute bronchitis, and respiratory infections.
Exposure to firecracker smoke in the short term in people who have a history of heart disease can trigger heart attacks and arrhythmias or heart rhythm disturbances.
Increases the Risk of Hearing Loss
Firecrackers are very loud and sometimes exceed 140 decibels (dB). In fact, sound with a strength exceeding 85 dB can damage hearing. This condition will then increase the risk of anxiety, temporary or permanent hearing loss, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbances.
Increases the Risk of Getting Burns
Reporting from Johns Hopkins Medicine, lighting firecrackers can increase the risk of getting burns, especially in the areas of the fingers, hands and feet.
Firecrackers have very high temperatures, even up to 15 times hotter than boiling water. Some people will only experience minor burns that can be treated with ointments and will generally improve within a few days. However, there were also many victims who received burns that were severe enough to cause permanent injuries to several parts of the body, even to the point of causing death.
Increases the Risk of Visual Impairment
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), firecrackers can trigger damage to the eyeball, corneal abrasion, and retinal detachment. This condition can then permanently damage vision and increase the risk of blindness.
Disturbing Mental Health
In addition to endangering the physical condition, lit firecrackers can also have a negative impact on mental health. Reporting from Prevention, the sound caused by firecrackers can be so startling that it triggers anxiety attacks in some people.
The sound is similar to the sound of gunshots so that it makes sufferers feel that their safety is threatened. The sound of firecrackers will also trigger sleep disturbances, especially when firecrackers are set off at night.
Given the reasons why firecrackers are harmful to health, you need to take the necessary precautions, such as using hand or face protection, when setting off firecrackers.
Also avoid giving firecrackers to children, and as much as possible don't light firecrackers near children or groups at risk. You are also advised to immediately seek medical help when experiencing certain health problems due to firecrackers, so that appropriate medical assistance can be given immediately. [DDHK News]
