400,000 people work in the fireworks industry in Liuyang, China’s “fireworks capital”. Last week there was an explosion at a factory that killed 36 people, injured 160, with 30 more missing, presumed dead. And some fireworks have poisonous compounds such as lead. No, I’m not trying to put a damper on anyone’s 4th of July celebrations, I’m just having an informed holiday, thanks to a NY Times article with even more of a party-pooper tone. “Americans spent $122.4 million on Chinese fireworks last year.” Wow.