Firecrackers
A 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.
Firecrackers Affects Our Health
The bursting of crackers is primarily responsible for an increase in concentration of dust and pollutants. The fine dust that settles after bursting crackers is rich in pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, metal dust and organic pollutants.
• Even the tiny sparklers, torches and flower pots which are otherwise considered to create no noise at all generate thick smoke that can affect the respiratory tract of young children.
• The suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels rise significantly during Diwali. This causes throat, nose and eye related problems which can later develop into adverse health issues.
• Firecrackers have much more severe effects in people with heart, respiratory or nervous system disorders.
• They can aggravate problems for people suffering from colds, allergies or coughs and can also cause congestion of the throat and chest.
• They can also cause water contamination and acid rains.
• They result in air pollution that creates carcinogenic Sulphur compounds and airborne arsenic effect.
• The green light produced in fireworks displays comes from barium, which is radioactive and poisonous. The blue colour produced from copper compounds comes from dioxins linked to cancer.
Firecrackers Affects The Environment
Noise Pollution: Firecrackers make more noise than the allowed decibel limit.
Air Pollution: Smog caused by firecrackers is harmful when inhaled. It also causes reduced visibility. The Central Pollution Control Board of India has also banned firecrackers with a decibel level of more than 125 at a distance of 4 mts from the bursting point.
Fire Hazards: Sometimes rockets set fire to huts, heaps of dry grass and even houses.
Garbage: After bursting of firecrackers the main problem that comes to our sight is the garbage lying on the roads. This garbage is chemical garbage that has effect on people’s health.
Firecrackers Affects Animals
• The sound of bursting crackers can be quite traumatic to pets, as they cannot bear loud sounds.
• We know that dogs have an incredible hearing ability and they can detect sounds that cannot be heard by human beings.
Chemicals in Firecrackers
Today, simple sparklers have given way to elaborate fireworks that can light up the entire sky above your home. Unfortunately the fumes that these crackers produce are harmful to the environment and us.
The levels of various chemicals used in making fire crackers are injurious to our respiratory passages. The various chemicals used in fireworks and their effects -
Causes irritation in the respiratory tract.
Reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, leading to anaemia.
Lead in the body has a harmful effect on the nervous system.
Magnesium fumes cause a condition known as metal fume fever.
Causes metal fume fever and also induces vomiting.
Sodium is a highly reactive element and combines with moisture to cause burns.
Can cause mental impairment
Can cause skin problems, eye irritation, and respiratory problems in children.
Nagaland Pollution Control Board had vide notification no. NPCB/Noise/7144-54 Dated 27th April, 2016 issued that it has been observed that fire crackers are widely used during the festive seasons like Diwali, Chhath Puja, Christmas, New Year, Weddings, and Birthdays etc. Fire crackers emit noise and gas during bursting and the Government of India under the Noise (Regulation and Control of Pollution) Rule, 2000 had laid down certain rules in order to regulate noise so that people are least disturbed, such as:-
1. The Deputy Commissioner is the authority to implement the said rule.
2. Bursting of crackers during night time i.e. 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is not permitted.
3. Fire crackers above 125 decibels are banned.
In addition to the above Rules, the Nagaland Pollution Control Board under Section 31 A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Section 8 of The Noise (Regulation and Control of Pollution) Rule, 2000 directs;
1. Prior permission has to be taken from the concerned Administration who shall give permission to carry out the firework specifying the time and place for the purpose (away from the hospitals, schools, residential areas).
2. Wide publicity shall be given prior to the event to avoid panic to the people in the vicinity and to maintain congenial environment, prevent annoyance, disturbance, and discomfort to the public.
Let us celebrate Christmas and New Year in an eco-friendly way and save the environment from pollution.
