Ecologists call on the population to avoid using pyrotechnics on New Year’s Eve and on the other winter holidays. The EcoContact Association warns the chemical substances that have been used to make pyrotechnics during the past few years are classed as toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic and can cause irritations, IPN reports.

The Association’s expert Ion Marin said the fireworks contain substances that are environmental hazards, contaminate surface water, groundwater and soil, intensify greenhouse effect and destroy the ozone layer. Chemical elements that absorb and emit radiations, turning into different colors, are used to make pyrotechnics.

EcoContact urges to use alternative, environmentally-friendly fireworks.