A man has turned into a fireworks enthusiast after drinking tap water every day for the past year.
A recent study by scientists at the University of Malta showed Malta’s water sources are contaminated with perchlorate, a chemical used in the production of fireworks.
Adrian Falzon, 38, from Lija, began drinking tap water to save money, but says his wife began noticing a change in his behaviour soon after.
“Whereas previously I was never interested in fireworks, and used to frequently say how pointless it was to set off loud petards during the day, which scared the life out of our pet dog and two cats, my wife said I was now talking about how they’re an important part of Maltese tradition. I mean, how else are you supposed to scare the Devil away?”
Mr Falzon also began catching himself telling family and friends that fireworks factories should be located in urban centres, preferably right next to schools so children could easily learn about the craft.
As time passed, his symptoms continued to worsen – in January he was fired from his job because he spent all his time watching Youtube videos on how to make fireworks.
His condition reached its peak in April, when he tried to obtain a permit to turn his garage into a fireworks factory.
After this was turned down by the authorities, he joined the St Michael’s Fireworks Club in Lija. one of Malta’s main pyrotechnic manufacturers, where preparations are now in full swing for the feast of Christ The Saviour on the 6th of August.
“The festa is the only thing I live for now. Viva Kristu Salvatur!” Mr Falzon said.
Meanwhile, Josef Camilleri, the president of the Malta Pyrotechnics association, has played down the findings of the study.
“If anything, we should be adding more pyrotechnic chemicals to the water, air and land so all these foreigners complaining about petards will learn to love them like Mr Falzon does,”, he said.
