Green Diwali

With air pollution becoming a serious issue, environment groups have in the past few years intensified their campaign for observing Diwali as a ‘green’ festival by appealing to the people to refrain from bursting crackers and using other fireworks that produce smoke and noise. The campaign had received a shot in the arm with the Supreme Court of India last year issuing orders permitting the manufacture and sale of low-emission ‘green’ firecrackers. These firecrackers are supposed to have emission and decibel levels 30 per cent lower than the conventional ones. The apex court had passed the order in October 2018 on a set of writ petitions filed by a few residents of Delhi in September 2015, seeking a blanket ban on the sale of firecrackers because they were concerned about increasing air pollution. It is important to note that the Supreme Court had defined ‘green cracker’ as something that could be an improved formulation or an all new formulation. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Environmental Engineering Institute (NEERI) has been working on designing a green cracker, and some trials have been already conducted by the two agencies. While CSIR and NEERI have opined that the emission of pollutants can be reduced by 30 per cent and the noise levels could drop from 160 decibels to 125 decibels, the apex court had also mandated that the new formula should be approved by the Petroleum and Safety Explosives Organisation (PESO). Meanwhile, Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology has recently announced that green crackers with 30 per cent lower emissions will now be available in the market. He said that steps have been taken to control pollution as well as take care of people’s sentiments. According to reports, the Central Polution Control Board has roped in nearly 165 fireworks manufactures, and another set of around 65 more manufacturers are in the process of coming on board to develop green firecrackers conforming with the new ‘green’ standards. The agencies have also issued about 530 emissions testing certificates to fireworks manufactures for new and improved formulations meeting the stipulated guidelines of green crackers. A green logo has also been designed to help consumers to differentiate between green crackers and conventional crackers. A Supreme Court bench meanwhile has limited the bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm for Diwali and between 11:55pm and 12:30 am on other occasions such as Christmas and New Year. These timings would be applicable all over India. It is good to note that in Assam, the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA) has forwarded the Supreme Court guidelines for monitoring of noise and air pollution during Diwali 2019 to the Deputy Commissioners of all districts. The PCBA will also carry out ambient air quality monitoring on pre-Diwali on October 21 and on Diwali day, which is on October 27, in certain locations at Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Tezpur, Silchar and Bongaigaon. While government agencies are doing their part to protect the environment from pollution and protect citizens from the harmful effects of firecrackers, it is also the bounden duty of citizens to behave in responsible manner. Responsible citizens including teachers, religious leaders, women and student organisations and others should also come forward to generate awareness against the dangerous effects of firecrackers. Manufacture of firecrackers involves the use of dangerous chemical substances including sulphur nitrate, magnesium and nitrogen dioxide. These prove to be hazardous for the respiratory system and can cause serious ailments like asthma, lung cancer, shortness of breath and many other respiratory diseases. Mishandling of firecrackers also cause burn injuries. While suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels can cause throat, nose and eye-related problems, these can additionally cause headaches and reduced mental acuity when it reaches the level of 100 ppm. The radioactive and poisonous elements used to produce colours when crackers are burst, actually pollute the air, which may increase the risk of cancer in people. While fireworks can be loud and can exceed 140 decibels — standard decibel level for humans is 60 decibels, noise at 85 decibels above can damage hearing. Increase in the decibel level can also lead to restlessness, temporary or permanent hearing loss, severe ear pain, sleep disturbance, high blood pressure, and even heart attack. Moreover, high noise levels also lead to withdrawal behaviour or hyperactivity in pregnant women, children and those suffering from respiratory problems. In addition, the harmful fumes produced while bursting crackers can lead to miscarriage. Hence, pregnant women are advised to stay indoors when cracker bursting is at its peak. It is time people begin to adopt behaviourial changes.

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