Ahead of the festive season, many states have banned the use of firecrackers to reduce air pollution that causes health hazards. These vary from either a complete or a partial ban on firecracker sales in these respective states to permitting the sale of ‘green crackers’ instead.
What are green crackers?
Fireworks/firecrackers made with reduction in the size of shell, elimination of ash usage, etc., reduced usage of raw materials in the compositions, of uniform acceptable quality, and/or use of additives as dust suppressants to reduce emissions with specific reference to particulate matter(PM*) [ Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide leading to: – a minimum of PM reduction of 30 % – a minimum of PM reduction of 20% and rest 10% of gaseous emission (mass of gases emitted based on composition) or more reduction of gaseous emission (mass of gases emitted based on composition) – All of the above reduction shall be based on when compared with conventional composition for a given category of crackers/fireworks.
What is it made of?
Usually, several chemicals such as antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, barium oxides, potassium nitrate, and barium nitrate are used for making crackers. Since these chemicals are harmful pollutants they are banned by the Supreme Court. Green crackers use a special formulation that reduces the amount of these chemicals.
Delhi, Odisha puts a complete ban on firecrackers:
Odisha government prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers during the festive season.
“With a view to protecting the health of general public and to curb the spread of infection, sale, and use of firecrackers shall remain prohibited during this festive month,” reads the state government order.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) ordered a complete ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the national capital till January 1, 2022.
Rajasthan allows sale, bursting of green crackers:
Reversing its decision to ban the sale and use of crackers in the state, the Rajasthan government issued a revised advisory on Friday and said that only the “green” crackers would be allowed for sale and also issued the restricted timing of bursting of crackers in the upcoming festive season.
