Campaign groups including the RSPCA and the Center for Wild Animal Welfare want UK firework volumes lowered from the current 120-decibel ceiling to 90 decibels. Because sound scales logarithmically, advocates note the proposed 90-decibel cap would shrink the disturbed geographic footprint to one-hundredth of the government's suggested 110-decibel alternative. Industry representatives oppose the drastic reduction, warning that consumers might turn to illegal alternatives if legal items are weakened.
UK officials noted potential legislative difficulties and testing manipulation risks asso…: UK officials noted potential legislative difficulties and testing manipulation risks associated with defining a 90-decibel standard.
The British Fireworks Association favors stricter enforcement of existing rules and publi…: The British Fireworks Association favors stricter enforcement of existing rules and public awareness campaigns over lower decibel caps.
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Campaigners are calling on the government to protect the welfare of wild animals by cutting the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the public from 120 to 90 decibels.
The Center for Wild Animal Welfare (CWAW) has said lowering the limit to 90 decibels – which is about one-eighth of the loudness of 120 decibels – would help to protect millions of wild animals from acute stress by reducing the area over which a firework disturbs surrounding wildlife.
This would help prevent incidents of harm, such as mass temporary displacement and fatal collisions among birds, that can occur during fireworks displays, it says.
It comes after the UK government recently consulted on proposals to lower the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the public from 120 decibels to 110 decibels, which equate to their loudness being approximately halved.
But CWAW said the proposed limit did not go far enough and cutting it to 90 decibels would leave the area disturbed by each firework about a hundred times smaller than under the government’s plan.
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