Aerial Shells with the Aspect of Wounding Potential
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17986/blm.2017227936Keywords:
Pyrotechnics, aerial shells, woundingAbstract
Objective: Aerial shells -a sample of pyrotechnics- are produced for recreational purposes. Because of materials used in construction and design, they consist some potential risks. Besides, there is a risk of utilization of shells as a simple weapon system and utilization of energetic ingredients in home-made bombs. Occasionally some news have been seen about woundings and deaths related to aerial shells. With this perspective, our study aimed to research wounding potential of shells.
Materials and methods: Four experiments were held including; physical examination of locally produced batteries, observation of battery functioning, expelling and detonation of shells, speed and blast pressure measurement utilizing a fastcam and pressure sensors. In physical examinations it is identified that, batteries are constructed in form of a cylindirical-cardboard-made barrels packed together, fired with short time intervals with a time fuse attached to barrels. Shells are configured with some powder/solid form of pyrotechnic mixtures added with little amount of earth and grains.
Results: Upon expelling of shells, intensive white-color smoke observed and 40,2 cm lenght (SD=7,21) flame eruption measured. In 0.5 m distance from barrels, 28 g-weight-shells (SD: 3,8) speed calculated as 52,61 m/s (SD: 6,92). Approximately 144,42 cm (SD: 36,61) diameter flame ball and fragmentations were identified, 89,09 kPa (SD: 16,62) detonation pressure value calculated.
Conclusion: Considering all findings, due to the pyrotechnic mixtures in their desings, their speed, flame eruption from barrels, fireball formation and fragmentation effects, it is evaluated that aerial shells have potential wounding risk.
Downloads
References
Özdikmen T, Derici R. Tehlikeli Maddelerin Güvenliği ve Emniyetli Nakli, Özel Alan Sınıf 1 Patlayıcı Maddeler. Ankara: Duman Ofset; 2011.
Bailey A, Murray G. Explosives, Propellants and Pyrotechnics. Townbridge, Wiltshire, England: Royal Military College of Science, Redwood Books; 2000.
Lenz R. Explosives and Bomb Disposal Guide. 5th ed. Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher; 1976.
Akhavan J. The Chemistry of Explosives. 2nd ed. Cambridge: UK The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park; 2004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/9781847552020
Mclain JH. Pyrotechnics. Philadelphia: The Franklin Institute Press; 1980.
Ellern H. Military and Civilian Pyrotechnics. New York: Chemical Publishing Co. Inc.; 1968.
Erdoğan A, Karaardıç H, Yavuz M, Karaardiç ÖL. Manavgat/Side Yöresinde Havai Fişek Gösterilerinin Fauna Elemanları Üzerine Etkisi. Türkiye Tabiatını Koruma Derneği. 2011;3:2-5.
Pilatin R. Havai Fişekler ve Ses Kirliliği. Batman Postası Gazetesi. [Erişim Tarihi: 2017 Nisan 11] . Erişim Adresi: [http://www.batmancagdas.com/havai-fisekler-ses-kirliligi-makale,11371.html].
Sirel E. Havai Fişek. Habertürk. 2009 [Erişim Tarihi: 2017 Nisan 11] . Erişim Adresi: [http://www.haberturk.com/ yazarlar/219105-havai-fisek].
Moore JX, McGwin Jr. G, Griffin RL. The epidemiology of firework-related injuries in the United States: 2000–2010. Injury. 2014; 45: 1704–1709. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2014.06.024
Kunz SN, Zinka B, Peschel O, Fieseler S. Case report; Accidental head explosion: An unusual blast wave injury as a result of self-made fireworks, Forensic Science International. 2011; 210: e4–e6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.04.013
Antalya İl Emniyet Müdürlüğü İnternet Sitesi. Havai Fişekler ile İlgili Valilik Yönergesi. [Erişim Tarihi: 2015 Haz 17] Erişim Adresi: [http://www.antalya.pol.tr/ Sayfalar/ruhsat-Havai-Fisekler-ile-ilgili-Valilik-Yonergesi.a spx].
Sağlık Bakanlığı İnternet Sitesi. Çocuklar ve Gençler Arasında Oyun ve Eğlence Amaçlı Olarak Kullanılan Piroteknik Maddeler. 2011 Mayıs [Erişim Tarihi: 2015 May 18] Erişim Adresi: [http://www.saglik.gov.tr/TSHGM/belge/1-9320/cocuklar-ve-gencler-arasinda-oyun-ve-eglence-araci-olar-.html].
Erwin V, Duvalois W., Webb R, Koeberg M. Morphology and composition of pyrotechnic residues formed at different levels of confinement. Forensic Science International. 2009; 186: 68–74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.01.019
Phillips SA. Pyrotechnic residues analysis-detection and analysis of characteristic particles by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy. Science & Justice. 2001; 41: 73-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1355-0306(01)71857-6
Yinon J, Zitrin S. Modern Methods of Applications in Analyses of Explosives. England: John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex; 1996.
Hürriyet Gazetesi. Havai fişek polisi yaraladı. [Erişim Tarihi: 2014 Tem 23] Erişim Adresi: [http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/23490377.asp].
Sözcü Gazetesi. Okmeydanı’nda Gergin Saatler. [Erişim Tarihi: 2014 Tem 23] Erişim Adresi: [http://sozcu.com.tr/2014/gunun-icinden/okmeydaninda-gergin-saatler-534311/].
CDC-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [İnternet] Serious Eye Injuries Associated with Fireworks. United States, 1990-1994. [Erişim Tarihi: 2013 May 05] Erişim Adresi: [http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid /m0037986/ m0037986.asp#Figure_1].
Alphonse VD, Kemper AR, Strom III BT, Beeman SM, Duma SM (2012). Mechanisms of injuries from fireworks. JAMA. 2012; 308(1): 33-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.6964
Cronin KJ, Butler PEM, McHugh M, Edwards G. A 1-year prospective study of burns in an Irish pediatric burns unit. Burns. 1996; 22 (3): 221-224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4179(95)00109-3
Konte V, Petridou E, Trichopoulos D. Firework-related childhood injuries in Greece: a national problem. Burns. 2004; 30: 151–153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2003.09.019
Al-Qattan MM, Al-Tamimi AS. Localized hand burns with or without concurrent blast injuries from fireworks. Burns. 2009; 35: 425-429. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2008.06.015
Ladham S, Koehler SA, Woods P, Huston R, Dominick J, Fochtman FW, Wecht CH. A case of a death by explosives: the keys to a proper investigation. Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine. 2005; 12: 85–92 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcfm.2004.10.003
Sinha I, Patel A, Kim FC, MacCorkle ML, Watkins JF. Comic Books Can Educate Children About Burn Safety in Developing Countries. Journal of Burn Care & Research 2011; 32(4): 112-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/BCR.0b013e3182223c6f
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
The Journal and content of this website is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) License. The Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) allows users to copy, distribute and transmit an article, adapt the article and make commercial use of the article. The CC BY license permits commercial and non-commercial re-use of an open access article, as long as the author is properly attributed.
