"Wow!" Ten Minutes of Human Cheer Becomes Doomsday for Birds... '1,700 Dead, Air Devastated'

Active Research on Environmental Impact at Home and Abroad
Side Effects on the Ecosystem Draw Attention

Could the dazzling fireworks decorating the night sky be causing mass bird die-offs? Recently, research results analyzing the environmental impact of fireworks both domestically and internationally have drawn significant attention.

1,700 Bird Carcasses Found After New Year Fireworks in Bulgaria

According to Yonhap News on September 8, the latest studies examining the ecological impact of fireworks are already being released overseas. A notable example is the paper published by a team led by Professor Rusko Petrov of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Trakia University in Bulgaria in January of this year.

The research team analyzed a mass bird die-off that occurred last year in Bulgaria and identified New Year’s fireworks as the most probable cause. Previously, on January 1 last year, a pile of as many as 1,700 bird carcasses was discovered near a hiking trail in the Sredna Gora mountains in Bulgaria.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026 held on the 5th around Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Upon close examination of the carcasses and some surviving birds, it was found that the birds suffered extreme stress due to the sudden noise from the fireworks and died after colliding with trees, the ground, or other obstacles. To consider other possibilities, the birds’ stomachs were examined for toxic substances and avian influenza, but no relevant symptoms were detected.

The paper warns that sudden loud noises or flashes of light at night can disorient diurnal birds. As the birds lose their sense of direction and become disoriented, their flight activity drastically increases, leading to exhaustion. For migratory birds, which need to travel long distances, such effects can be fatal.

Fine Dust Levels Exceed Standards After Fireworks in Korea, "Refrain from Outdoor Activities"

There have been no domestic research reports specifically addressing the ecological impact of fireworks. However, concerns have been raised regarding the sharp deterioration of air quality caused by fireworks.

Previously, a joint research team from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Korea University, and the Departments of Preventive Medicine at Hanyang University College of Medicine and Ajou University School of Medicine analyzed fine particle concentrations in the surrounding areas during the 2023 Seoul International Fireworks Festival and Busan Fireworks Festival.

In the case of Seoul, before the fireworks began at around 7:30 p.m. on October 7, 2023, the PM2.5 concentration remained at a “good” level (0-15), specifically between 9 and 12. However, following the launch of the fireworks, the PM2.5 concentration soared, reaching 320 at around 9:30 p.m.—31 to 36 times higher than the “good” baseline. The regular fine dust concentration also exceeded standards, rising to 371 after the fireworks, well above the “good” threshold (0-30). These concentrations correspond to levels at which outdoor activities should be avoided according to both PM2.5 and PM10 standards.

In relation to this, an anonymous citizen recently urged authorities to implement measures addressing air pollution, the environment, and public health protection through the e-People national petition website ahead of the Seoul fireworks show last weekend.

In response, the Seoul city government, which sponsors the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, stated, “The fireworks festival does not fall under projects that require an environmental impact assessment according to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act.” Nonetheless, the city added, “We will implement air quality monitoring and issue public guidance to minimize citizens’ exposure to air pollution resulting from the fireworks festival.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.