June 4, 2026: Potential Impact of Fireworks on Lakes and Other Waters - Register
Presented by: Dr. Andrew Jackson is Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University and a board-certified environmental engineer. His research examines how contaminants move through natural environments, with particular expertise in perchlorate—the major oxidizer in fireworks—and its impact on water quality. Dr. Jackson’s work includes field and laboratory studies on contaminants such as perchlorate, explosives, PFAS, and heavy metals, as well as methods for measuring and mitigating their effects. He has published more than 120 scientific papers and has led research funded by agencies including EPA, DOE, DoD, and NASA.
Topic Summary:Each year in the U.S., hundreds of millions of pounds of fireworks are used, releasing perchlorate—a key fireworks ingredient and a known drinking water contaminant—into the environment. Perchlorate can disrupt thyroid function, and studies have shown that fireworks can elevate perchlorate levels in nearby surface and groundwater.
This presentation explores how fireworks may affect drinking water sources by examining field studies, aerial deposition measurements, and national water surveys conducted before and after major fireworks events. We’ll discuss how factors such as the amount of fireworks used, waterbody size, dilution capacity, direct deposition, runoff, and natural attenuation influence perchlorate levels and potential risks to water quality.
Host: This series is presented by Itasca Waters with the support from Minnesota Sea Grant, Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, KAXE/KBXE, Rapids Radio and Grand Rapids Herald Review.