Black snake (firework)

It produces a more impressive snake, but its execution depends upon mercury (II) thiocyanate, which is no longer in common use due to its toxicity.

[2] Once lit, the fireworks emit smoke and spew out ash resembling a snake via an intumescent reaction.

If the reaction is performed inside a container, a gray film of mercury coating on its inner surface can be observed.

A white mixture of sucrose and sodium bicarbonate will eventually turn black and the snake will grow about 15–50 centimetres (5.9–19.7 in) long after it is lit.

This steam, in addition to the carbon dioxide product, makes the snake lightweight and airy and allows it to grow to a large size from a comparably small amount of starting material.

Though deemed toxic by the Chest Research foundation and Pune University, black snake fireworks are still in use.

The conducted study showed that the snake fireworks emitted the highest particulate matter, capable of penetrating the lungs via inhalation of smoke particles and consequently, causing significant damage.