The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on July 29 it is offering a $2.5 million grant for researchers to investigate groundwater contamination following fireworks shows.
Perchlorate is commonly used in solid rocket propellants, munitions, fireworks, and airbag initiators for vehicles, matches, and signal flares. It can occur naturally, particularly in arid regions such as the southwestern United States.
When the chemical does not completely combust in fireworks, it can leach into groundwater or enter streams.
Applications are due September 14, 2022. An informational webinar will take place at 2 p.m. ET on August 18.
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NGWA has a best suggested practice for treating perchlorate in residential well systems. In it, the BSP states “Ingestion of perchlorate affects iodine uptake by the human thyroid and thus thyroidal hormone production,” while adding “public health risk from perchlorate remains controversial.” It has also been reported perchlorate causes cognitive and physical damage to children.
A groundwater remediation project dealing with fireworks in Everhart, Michigan, received a 2020 NGWA Outstanding Groundwater Remediation Project Award. Click here to read the article from the April 2021 issue of Water Well Journal®.