The excessive and often uncontrolled use of pyrotechnic products has long surpassed the sphere of seasonal entertainment, becoming an issue with direct impact on fundamental human rights. Data collected by the People’s Advocate Office between December 2025 and February 2026 confirm violations of the right to life and physical integrity in the context of severe injuries, including among minors; the right to health, through burns, eye injuries, amputations, and severe psychological effects; as well as the right to a healthy environment, through significant exceedances of fine particle concentrations (PM10 and PM2.5), chemical pollution, and extreme noise pollution.
Impulse noises disproportionately affect small children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, hospitalized patients, and individuals affected by military conflicts, while the impact on domestic animals and wildlife raises additional concerns regarding welfare and ecological balance. Under these conditions, the pyrotechnic phenomenon becomes a matter of public health, environmental protection, and effective guarantee of fundamental rights.
Between December 2025 and February 2026, the People’s Advocates initiated a coordinated and staged process. The effort began with a public appeal launched by Ceslav Panico and Vasile Coroi, calling for the limitation or prohibition of pyrotechnic articles and the promotion of safe alternatives. Subsequently, official requests were sent to relevant ministries and local public administration authorities, demanding restrictive measures, intensified controls, and the redirection of public resources toward non-invasive forms of celebration. The Ombudspersons also submitted requests to parliamentary commissions to discuss the use of pyrotechnic products and their interference with fundamental human rights.
Following these interventions, several mayoralities – including Cahul, Anenii Noi, Vulcanesti, Basarabeasca, and Ocnita – gave up organizing fireworks in official programs. The Calarasi Mayorality provided a good practice example by organizing a “light show,” an ecological and safe alternative.
The subject also generated broad public debate. A survey conducted on the Debates.md platform indicated that over 86% of respondents (out of more than 2,000 participants) support limiting the use of fireworks, confirming genuine social concern in this area.
In parallel, the People’s Advocate Office collected official data and prepared the Special report “Assessment of the Impact of Pyrotechnic Products and Their Interference with Fundamental Human Rights”, which was examined, at the Ombudsman’s request, during the March 4, 2026 meeting of the Parliamentary Commission on Environment, Climate, and Green Transition, with the participation of regulatory and control institutions. Discussions highlighted the need to revise the regulatory framework and public policies in the area to align them with human rights protection standards.
The report is the result of independent monitoring carried out between December 2025 and February 2026. It contains data collected from competent authorities, as well as an analysis of the regulatory framework and international practices.
Impact on Public Health
Data from the National Center for Prehospital Emergency Medical Assistance show that between December 25, 2025, and January 3, 2026, there were 11 cases of injuries caused by pyrotechnic articles, 10 of which required hospitalization. Among the victims were 4 minors, including a 2-year-old child.
Injuries included burns to limbs and face, eye trauma with partial or total vision loss, and finger amputations. The public health system’s costs for treating these cases exceeded 36,000 MDL.
Beyond physical trauma, impulsive noises and unpredictable explosions disproportionately affect small children, the elderly, hospitalized patients, and people with mental disorders. For individuals exposed to traumatic experiences – including refugees affected by armed conflict – these can trigger severe anxiety reactions or episodes associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Air and Environmental Pollution
Data presented by the Environmental Agency, analyzed during monitoring by the People’s Advocate Office between December 25, 2025, and January 5, 2026, indicate frequent exceedances of permissible concentrations of suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5 in Chisinau Municipality.
The most pronounced increases were recorded on New Year’s Eve, between 00:00 and 01:00, when particle concentrations significantly exceeded the health protection reference level of 50 µg/m³, influenced by intensive use of pyrotechnic products.
Burning fireworks releases fine particles and chemical compounds from metals such as barium, strontium, copper, or aluminium, along with harmful gases. These particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and are associated with negative effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Residues from fireworks also contaminate soil and water, while debris from explosions generates additional urban waste.
Public Order and Safety
According to General Police Inspectorate data, between December 25, 2025, and January 5, 2026, there were 122 reports of illegal pyrotechnic use and 134 police interventions.
Control actions led to 67 contravention reports and the confiscation of more than 2,400 pyrotechnic units. The number of incidents caused by these products increased by at least 48 cases compared to the same period the previous year.
Authorities note that identifying individuals who illegally use pyrotechnics remains difficult, as use typically occurs in very short intervals – from a few seconds to a few minutes. Even with prompt police intervention, establishing the perpetrator and documenting the offense is often challenging.
Impact on Animals
Noise from fireworks can reach 140 – 170 decibels, while most domestic animals tolerate sounds of about 60 – 70 decibels. The significant difference causes acute panic reactions, uncontrolled flight, injuries, or disorientation.
For birds, explosions and bright lights provoke chaotic nocturnal flights, often leading to collisions with buildings, trees, or cables.
International Experience
The report also includes examples of international good practices, showing that more and more states adopt restrictive policies on pyrotechnics, mainly for public safety, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
In many German cities, fireworks are allowed only within a very limited timeframe and are banned in dense urban areas, near hospitals, asylums, or other sensitive institutions. In Australia and Canada, private use is permitted only with authorization, with professional shows preferred. In Ireland and Chile, personal use of pyrotechnics is prohibited by law, while in the Netherlands, national bans on individual fireworks have been adopted. In China and India, several cities introduced significant restrictions because of pollution and safety concerns.
These examples demonstrate that restricting pyrotechnic use is an increasingly common international trend aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
Need to Revise the Regulatory Framework
The report’s analysis reveals a significant gap between the existing regulatory framework and its effective application. Although legislation establishes clear responsibilities for relevant authorities, field reality shows that current control mechanisms are overwhelmed by the scale of the phenomenon.
Recommendations of the People’s Advocate
The Ombudsman called for a conceptual revision of public policies in the area and the adoption of measures ensuring a balance between festive traditions and the protection of fundamental rights.
Key recommendations include:
- Restricting/prohibiting certain categories of pyrotechnics for individual use.
- Establishing clearly defined zones and time intervals for their use.
- Banning use in densely populated urban areas, near medical institutions, and forest strips.
- Introducing additional ecological standards.
- Creating an interinstitutional working group under the Ministry of Internal Affairs to draft legislative proposals in the area.
The complete Report in Romanian is available here: https://ombudsman.md/post-document/raport-special-evaluarea-impactului-utilizarii-produselor-pirotehnice-si-interferenta-cu-drepturile-fundamentale-ale-omului/
This initiative contributed to raising awareness of the impact of pyrotechnic products on fundamental rights, mobilizing authorities toward more responsible measures, and initiating a parliamentary debate based on official data and international good practices.
Transitioning to sustainable celebration models does not represent a limitation of traditions but a necessary adjustment to ensure a fair balance between festive manifestations and the state’s obligation to guarantee respect for the fundamental rights of all individuals, especially the vulnerable ones.
