After COVID-19, Air Pollution is increasingly
becoming the next health crisis in India. Three major cities-Delhi, Mumbai
& Kolkata, are in the top 10 cities with worst air pollution in the entire
world. With Diwali just around the corner, the air quality can plummet further
in the coming days.
Every year, India celebrates the festival of
lights with diyas, sweets, firecrackers, and great aplomb. However, the
deteriorating air quality across states & union territories has raised
warning signs and a cause of concern for the upcoming celebrations.
The National Green Tribunal has imposed a
complete ban on sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi and nearby areas that
will last till November 30. Delhi has already topped the charts for the worst
pollution in the world and the ban aims to prevent the rise of pollution levels
in the capital. Several states like Haryana, Karnataka, Chandigarh, Mumbai,
West Bengal, Odisha, National Capital Region have followed suit. The
governments are urging people to opt for ‘Green Crackers’ to minimize the
damage caused by crackers.
Green crackers are an environment-friendly
alternative to the loud and chemical-filled firecrackers burst every year. They
have a smaller shell casing with less harmful raw material and cause lower
emissions. Green crackers have additives and release water vapour that suppress
dust particles and cause 30% less particulate matter pollution. Apart from
this, these crackers do not have banned chemicals like lithium, lead, barium,
and arsenic. Also known as Safe Water Releaser (SWA), Safe Minimum Aluminium
(SAFAL) and Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR), green crackers were researched and
developed by CSIR-NEERI scientists on court’s directions.
Over the years, firecrackers have not only
polluted our air but also caused noise pollution, burn injuries, fires,
injuries to stray animals and loss of life and property. In 2019, Delhi Fire
Service (DFS) responded to over 300 calls and 7 people lost their lives. Stats
from other states show 498 patients were admitted to OPD at Sawai Man Singh
Hospital, Jaipur including 108 emergency cases. In Odisha, a man scummed to
death and another was charred to death due to bursting of firecrackers. Kolkata
witnessed a tragic loss of a 5-year old boy who was just passing by some people
bursting crackers.
Numerous steps to combat Diwali pollution are
taken by various authorities in India. Cracker ban, use of ‘green crackers’ in
moderate air quality areas, etc. are some steps taken in this direction. While
green crackers are not a complete solution, their use instead of traditional
crackers can be a detriment to minimizing the damage.
Commenting on the pollution levels and
impending Diwali celebrations, Pradip Burman says “While celebrations in India
are considered incomplete without the spark of crackers, it is imperative that
we restraint from participating in such activities this year. With the air
quality already dangerous to breathe, let us not make it a choking disaster.”
Pradip Burman is a prominent influencer, environmentalist, and crusader of
sustainability in India.
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