Are fireworks unsafe?

September 17, 2012

Fukushima fireworks return to festival after cancellation over radiation fears

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120917p2a00m0na006000c.html

NISSHIN, Aichi -- A festival using fireworks produced in nuclear disaster-hit Fukushima Prefecture was held here on Sept. 16, a year after their launch was canceled due to radiation fears.

Some 80 fireworks balls made in the Fukushima Prefecture town of Kawamata were shot off into the night sky of Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, prompting many spectators to pray for the early recovery of disaster-hit areas.

In September last year, the organizing committee of the festival canceled the launch of fireworks produced in Kawamata, saying, "There is no solid data indicating their safety." The decision sparked some 3,000 calls of protest and other complaints. Later that month, the organizing committee measured the radiation dosage of Kawamata-produced fireworks and confirmed their safety, subsequently deciding to set them off at the next festival and keeping 80 of the balls in Aichi Prefecture.

The city of Nisshin and the village of Kawamata have since strived to deepen their exchanges, such as Nisshin dispatching its employees to Kawamata. At this year's festival, four more Kawamata-produced fireworks balls were added to the total of 2,000 balls shot off into the sky.

"Thank you for your support," Kawamata Mayor Michio Furukawa said in addressing the crowd at a lighting ceremony for the festival.