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Analysis of institutional authors

León, DavidCorresponding AuthorAmez, IsabelAuthorParedes, RobertoAuthorPantelakis, DimitriosAuthorCastells, BlancaAuthor

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July 31, 2025
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Assessment of sustainable compositions to reduce emissions and sound pressure level of flash powder

Publicated to: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. 381 126660- - 2025-09-15 381(), DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126660

Authors:

Leon, David; Amez, Isabel; Paredes, Roberto; Pantelakis, Dimitrios; Castells, Blanca
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Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid UPM, ETSI Minas & Energia, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid UPM, TECMINERGY Lab Oficial JM Madariaga LOM, Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

Flash powder, an explosive compound widely used in flash bangers and pyrotechnic shells, among others, has emerged as a critical point in discussions about the negative effects of its use. Currently, fireworks present significant challenges due to their adverse impacts on the environment and the generation of acoustic disturbances in residential and urban areas due, among other compounds, to flash powder. This powder, mainly composed of potassium perchlorate and metallic compounds such as aluminium or magnesium, is crucial to achieve the opening and bursting of pyrotechnic devices. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternatives that solve the flash powder associated problems to give a sustainable future to the pyrotechnic sector. This study proposes compositions that could be possible alternatives to reduce emissions and sound pressure levels, whit the intention of ensuring suitable performance for these pyrotechnic articles. F2 category flash bangers from different manufacturers were collected. The operation of these bangers was compared in different tests, by adding inert materials such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and recycled glass, at 10 % and 20 % (w/w), and by replacing the flash powder with nitrocellulose ([C6H7(NO2)3O5]n), with a nitrogen percentage of less than 12.6 %, as stated in the European pyrotechnics regulation. The samples were subjected to sound pressure level measurements according to EN 15947-4:2022 standard, but also CO and CO2 emissions were evaluated. It was observed that the compositions studied could lead to a significant reduction in both pollutant emissions and the noise level generated by the pyrotechnic articles. After studying the explosion pressure generated for their substitution in pyrotechnic shells, it is concluded that the addition of inert compounds can be a real alternative. However, the nitrocellulose does not achieve a correct operation as a substitute for flash powder, and nitrocellulose with a higher nitrogen content must be studied.
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Keywords

Acoustic pollutionAir pollutantsAir pollutionEmissionsExplosion pressurExplosion pressureExplosive agentsFireworksFlash powderImpactInerNitrocellulosePerchloratePollutionPowdersSoundSound pressure levelThermal-decomposition

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 47/376, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Environmental Sciences.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 7 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/92407/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 36
  • Downloads: 203
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (LEÓN RUIZ, DAVID) and Last Author (CASTELLS SOMOZA, BLANCA).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been LEÓN RUIZ, DAVID.

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Project objectives

La aportación persigue los siguientes objetivos: analizar composiciones sostenibles como alternativas al flash powder para reducir emisiones contaminantes y niveles de presión sonora; evaluar el desempeño de flash bangers categoría F2 con adición de materiales inertes (NaHCO3 y vidrio reciclado) al 10 % y 20 % (p/p); comparar la sustitución del flash powder por nitrocelulosa con menos del 12,6 % de nitrógeno conforme a la normativa europea; medir niveles de presión sonora según la norma EN 15947-4:2022 y emisiones de CO y CO2; determinar la viabilidad de estas composiciones para mantener un rendimiento adecuado en artículos pirotécnicos; y caracterizar la explosión generada para validar la sustitución en dispositivos pirotécnicos.
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Most relevant results

El estudio evaluó composiciones sostenibles para reducir emisiones y niveles de presión sonora del flash powder en artículos pirotécnicos. Los resultados más relevantes son: (1) la adición de bicarbonato de sodio y vidrio reciclado al 10 % y 20 % (p/p) disminuye significativamente las emisiones de CO y CO2; (2) estas adiciones también reducen el nivel de presión sonora conforme a la norma EN 15947-4:2022; (3) la sustitución total del flash powder por nitrocelulosa con menos del 12,6 % de nitrógeno no garantiza un funcionamiento adecuado; (4) la incorporación de compuestos inertes representa una alternativa viable para mantener la presión de explosión requerida en dispositivos pirotécnicos; y (5) se recomienda investigar nitrocelulosa con mayor contenido de nitrógeno para futuras aplicaciones.
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