Boga (noisemaker)
Encyclopedia
The boga, also known as a PVC cannon, is a noisemaker
popular with revellers celebrating the New Year
in the Philippines
. Use of the device has been banned by the Philippine government since 2006. Originating from the province of Cavite
, the device is made from a length of PVC pipe of substantial diameter mated to a toy gun. Denatured alcohol is squirted or sprayed into the pipe's breech
end and ignited by the toy gun's trigger mechanism which is connected to a cigarette lighter
or gas stove igniter. The combination of air and alcohol in the pipe's enclosed space when ignited by a spark from the trigger mechanism causes the fuel-air mixture to combust
, resulting in a loud, booming sound.
Health officials in the Philippines have repeatedly warned against use of the noisemaker, which they deem to be dangerous as its use carries a risk of blast or burn injury. For the 2006 New Year Celebrations, a ban was ordered on December 27 against the use of the devices. Officials cited a variety of possible injuries from use of the device, mostly involving delayed explosions to the facial region resulting in eye injury
, among others. Post traumatic conjunctivitis
was cited as one of the noted effects. Users of the device, in some cases children, tend to prematurely open the boga whenever it fails to fire, causing any delayed blasts to fire upon the unsuspecting user's face. Of 178 firecracker-related injuries recorded for the 2006 season (as of December 28) so far, eighteen percent were confirmed to have been caused by use of bogas. In December 2007, officials from the local Department of Health
maintained the ban on the devices, reminding the public with press releases, flyers and awareness campaigns.
The PVC cannon is a prohibited weapon in NSW, Australia, along with other devices which are designed to propel or launch a bomb, grenade, rocket or missile by any means other than an explosive.
Noisemaker
A noisemaker is something intended to make a loud noise, usually for fun. The word may refer to:* Air horn, a device composed of a pressurized air source coupled to a horn, designed to create an extremely loud noise...
popular with revellers celebrating the New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Use of the device has been banned by the Philippine government since 2006. Originating from the province of Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
, the device is made from a length of PVC pipe of substantial diameter mated to a toy gun. Denatured alcohol is squirted or sprayed into the pipe's breech
Breech-loading weapon
A breech-loading weapon is a firearm in which the cartridge or shell is inserted or loaded into a chamber integral to the rear portion of a barrel....
end and ignited by the toy gun's trigger mechanism which is connected to a cigarette lighter
Lighter
A lighter is a portable device used to generate a flame. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition, and some provision for extinguishing the flame.- History :...
or gas stove igniter. The combination of air and alcohol in the pipe's enclosed space when ignited by a spark from the trigger mechanism causes the fuel-air mixture to combust
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
, resulting in a loud, booming sound.
Health officials in the Philippines have repeatedly warned against use of the noisemaker, which they deem to be dangerous as its use carries a risk of blast or burn injury. For the 2006 New Year Celebrations, a ban was ordered on December 27 against the use of the devices. Officials cited a variety of possible injuries from use of the device, mostly involving delayed explosions to the facial region resulting in eye injury
Eye injury
Physical or chemical injuries of the eye can be a serious threat to vision if not treated appropriately and in a timely fashion. The most obvious presentation of ocular injuries is redness and pain of the affected eyes. This is not, however, universally true, as tiny metallic projectiles may cause...
, among others. Post traumatic conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva...
was cited as one of the noted effects. Users of the device, in some cases children, tend to prematurely open the boga whenever it fails to fire, causing any delayed blasts to fire upon the unsuspecting user's face. Of 178 firecracker-related injuries recorded for the 2006 season (as of December 28) so far, eighteen percent were confirmed to have been caused by use of bogas. In December 2007, officials from the local Department of Health
Department of Health (Philippines)
The Philippines’ Department of Health is the principal health agency in the Philippines. It is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services to all Filipinos through the provision of quality health care and the regulation of...
maintained the ban on the devices, reminding the public with press releases, flyers and awareness campaigns.
The PVC cannon is a prohibited weapon in NSW, Australia, along with other devices which are designed to propel or launch a bomb, grenade, rocket or missile by any means other than an explosive.
See also
- Bamboo cannonBamboo cannonMeriam buluh or bamboo cannon is a type of home-made firecracker which is popular during the Hari Raya festive season in Malaysia, and during the New Year's day celebration in the Philippines...
- Potato cannonSpud gun (cannon)A potato cannon is a pipe-based cannon which uses air pressure , Propellant, or Propane/Gas, or combustion of a gaseous fuel, to launch projectiles at high speeds. First invented during the 1980s by Conor Conor Gaul the popularity of the spud gun is widespread...
- FirecrackerFirecrackerA firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound...
- NoisemakerNoisemakerA noisemaker is something intended to make a loud noise, usually for fun. The word may refer to:* Air horn, a device composed of a pressurized air source coupled to a horn, designed to create an extremely loud noise...