HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEP advisory memo on fireworks 2012
Administrative Services • Division of Fire Safety
Hazardous Materials Response • Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
DEVAL L. PATRICK
GOVERNOR
TIMOTHY P. MURRAY
LT. GOVERNOR
MARY ELIZABETH HEFFERNAN
SECRETARY
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Department of Fire Services
P.O. Box 1025 ∼State Road
Stow, Massachusetts 01775
(978) 567∼3100 Fax: (978) 567∼3121
www.mass.gov/dfs
STEPHEN D. COAN
STATE FIRE MARSHAL
ADVISORY
TO: Heads of Fire Departments
FROM: Stephen D. Coan
State Fire Marshal
DATE: June 1, 2012
SUBJECT: Information from DEP regarding perchlorate-containing fireworks
Attached for information purposes only, is a memorandum from the Department of
Environmental Protection. DFS will provide this memorandum to all firework user
certificate holders issued by our office. The purpose of this memorandum is to bring
attention to the recent contamination of drinking water supplies by perchlorates. While
there is no specific link identified at this time, DEP has requested assistance in getting this
information out regarding the need for housekeeping and alternatives in certain areas.
If you have any questions contact technical services unit at 978-567-3375 or in Western
MA at 413-587-3181.
Attachment
Fireworks Best Environmental Management Practices
Memorandum
To: Fireworks Contractors and Interested Parties
From: Janine Commerford, Assistant Commissioner - Waste Site Cleanup
Subject: Potential Environmental Contamination From the Use of Perchlorate-
Containing Fireworks
Date: May 19, 2011
Introduction
Over the past few years, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(MassDEP) has detected perchlorate in a number of drinking water supplies in
Massachusetts, including several public water supply wells where nearby fireworks
displays appear to be a source of the perchlorate contamination. The purpose of this
memorandum is to provide guidance on perchlorate-containing fireworks to prevent
contamination of drinking water supplies from this potential source.
Background
Perchlorate is a chemical compound comprised of 1 chlorine and 4 oxygen atoms. The
wide-scale production of perchlorate for use as a solid rocket propellant has led to the use
of perchlorate compounds in a number of common products, including airbag inflators,
industrial chemicals, explosives, and fireworks. Perchlorate is highly water soluble, and
can travel significant distances in groundwater. Perchlorate can affect the function of the
thyroid gland, which regulates the body's metabolism. Pregnant women and their fetuses,
infants, children under the age of 12, and people with hypothyroidism are most
susceptible. In July 2006, MassDEP promulgated a drinking water standard of 2 parts per
billion or ppb, and notification criteria (Reportable Concentrations in soil and groundwater)
for this contaminant under the state waste site cleanup regulations (Massachusetts
Contingency Plan, 310 CMR 40.0000).
In response to detection of perchlorate in water supply wells in Massachusetts, MassDEP
is investigating surrounding sites and activities that may have caused or contributed to
contamination. Fireworks displays employing perchlorate-containing pyrotechnics have
been identified in at least three locations as the possible source of drinking water
contamination.
Recommendations
Although the environmental impacts from the use of perchlorate-containing fireworks have
not been fully defined, MassDEP believes it is prudent for fireworks contractors to take the
following reasonable steps to minimize potential problems:
1. Request low (or no) perchlorate containing fireworks. This may require that you make
inquiries with your suppliers and/or manufacturers.
2. Institute rigorous "housekeeping" practices. It appears that the deposition of unburned
aerial shell fragments and other pyrotechnic debris may be the primary mechanism by
which groundwater becomes contaminated by perchlorate. Fireworks companies or
display sponsors should remove all visible shell debris encountered during the search at
first light.
3. Dispose or manage "duds" and "misfires" appropriately; all "duds" or "misfires" must be
removed from the site and disposed of in accordance with applicable codes and
manufacturers instructions. Contain and/or promptly address runoff in cases where water
is used to douse duds or misfired materials.
4. Be aware of the existence of surrounding drinking water supplies and stay as far away
from them as possible. Of particular concern are Fireworks displays within the recharge
areas of public drinking water supply wells (i.e., "Zone II" and "Interim Wellhead
Protection" areas). Maps of these areas and surface water supplies should be available
from local officials, and can be viewed on-line at http://www.mass.gov/mgis/ (specifically
http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/WSPA/viewer.htm) and
http://mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/swapreps.htm
Please contact Rose Knox at the MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) at
617-556-1026 or Rosemary.Knox@state.ma.us if you would like additional information, or
please refer to the following link on MassDEP's Website:
http://mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/percinfo.htm