The tradition of setting off fireworks has existed for centuries in the Netherlands, initially, it was thought, to scare off ghosts. Every year, 2.5 million Dutch families set off 50 million kilos or over €40 million of fireworks, but whoever spares a thought to the science underpinning all this? The Research File investigates:
– Getting rid of the smoke and the polluting elements in fireworks: Dr. Jos. Mul, TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory, Head of the Department of Pyrotechnics and Energetic Materials, Rijswijk, Netherlands
– Experimenting with fireworks as a boy: Jeroen Vleggaar, Bussum, Netherlands
– Safer packaging for transport: Dr. Louk Absil, TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory, Head of the Department of Explosion Prevention and Protection, Rijswijk, Netherlands
Producer: Liesbeth de Bakker
Broadcast: January 2, 2003