Firework Smoke Makes Breathing Difficult, Experts Explain Impact Of Crackers On Health

The air in Delhi had become suffocating even before Diwali with the level of pollution rising to extremely dangerous levels. The Supreme Court also expressed concern over the worsening air quality while the Delhi government and the Central government made various efforts to tackle pollution. In the already polluted atmosphere, the pollutants and noise from firecrackers added to the woes. The burning of stubble, vehicle pollution, seasonal effects, geographical conditions, and the cocktail of fireworks have made the air more polluted. While there is constant talk about crop residue and vehicular pollution, firecracker pollution also makes the air toxic and unclean for several days before and after Diwali. Many times, the question arises in people's minds about how much pollution is caused by firecrackers. According to a study report by the Chest Research Foundation, Pune and University of Pune, even small firecrackers release a large amount of pollution into the air.

In this study, experts assessed the pollution caused by various types of fireworks. According to the results found in this research, burning a string of 1,000 chili bombs can increase the PM2.5 level in the air to 47,789 micrograms per cubic metre. Similarly, burning a mehtaab raises the PM2.5 level in the air to 34,068 micrograms per cubic metre. Children enjoy burning snake tablets, which can increase the PM 2.5 level in the air to 64,849 micrograms per cubic metre. Burning a sparkler can increase the PM 2.5 level in the air to 10,898 micrograms per cubic metre. Meanwhile, burning an anaar can increase the PM 2.5 level in the air to 5,640 micrograms per cubic metre.

Supreme Court Bans Use Of Barium In Fireworks

The Supreme Court on November 7 once again said that the sale of fireworks containing the chemical barium should be banned throughout the country. Barium is used to produce green colour in fireworks. It is also used to give firecrackers a longer shelf life. Different amounts of lead, sulphur, arsenic and chlorine are used in fireworks. The Central government has also banned these under the Hazardous Chemicals Rules (2000). Exposure to barium can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. It is mostly used in sparklers and anaar.

Bombs and Anaar Cause The Most Damage

The Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS conducted a study on patients in Delhi and NCR between 2014 and 2019 whose eyes were damaged while bursting fireworks on Diwali. In their study of about 646 patients, doctors found that fireworks caused the most damage to the eyes of children under the age of 14. It was found that in about 65 per cent of cases, accidents occurred due to negligence while bursting fireworks. In 94.5 per cent of cases, the parents of the children were not with them while bursting fireworks. At the same time, children did not wear any kind of eye protection while bursting fireworks. 64 per cent of children suffered eye damage while bursting bombs. At the same time, 23 per cent of children's eyes were victims of accidents while bursting Anaar. 7 per cent of children's eyes were damaged while bursting rockets, while 6 per cent of children's eyes were damaged while bursting firecrackers.

According to a study conducted by doctors at Safdarjung Hospital, the following fireworks cause the most burns during Diwali:

64 per cent people burn while bursting anaar

13 per cent people burn while bursting bombs

9 per cent people burn while bursting chakri

8 per cent people burn while bursting rockets

3 per cent people burn from mehtaab

3 per cent people burn from candles 

According to the report, about 73 per cent of the people who were burnt by fireworks in Delhi NCR were between the ages of 5 and 30. Of these, about 91 per cent were burnt less than 5 per cent.

Are Green Fireworks Really Green?

If you want to light fireworks on Diwali, you can choose the option of green fireworks. Dr. Sadhana Rayalu, Chief Scientist at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, a CSIR Institute, says that compared to normal fireworks, lighting green fireworks releases up to 30 per cent less particulate matter. Meanwhile, harmful gases emitted from fireworks also decrease by up to 40 per cent. Pyrotechnic composition is used to make these fireworks. The demand for green fireworks has rapidly increased worldwide. If someone wants to set up a factory for green fireworks, they can get the technology and licence from CSIR-NEERI. Many companies are manufacturing these fireworks after obtaining a licence from CSIR-NEERI.

Advantages Of Green Fireworks

NEERI has developed special types of firecrackers. After burning them, due to the special type of chemicals used in them, water particles are produced from these fireworks. Due to which nitrogen and sulphur particles do not go into the air. NEERI has named them Safe Water Releaser.

NEERI has developed some fireworks called Star Crackers, which do not emit pollutants such as sulphur and nitrogen when burned. They are called Safe Thermite Crackers. Oxidising agents are used in them.

The technology developed by NEERI for fireworks uses 60 per cent less Aluminium. These fireworks are prepared on the basis of Safe Minimal Aluminium or SAFAL technique.

NEERI has also prepared some fireworks that emit fragrance instead of harmful gases when burned.

Green fireworks use alternative chemicals like potassium nitrate and aluminium instead of magnesium and barium, and use carbon instead of arsenic and other harmful pollutants. Regular fireworks emit sound between 160-200 decibels, while green fireworks are limited to about 100-130 decibels. They are not completely pollution-free but are much less polluting than regular fireworks. But with all these advantages, the biggest difficulty with green fireworks is that only those manufacturers will be allowed to produce these fireworks who have an agreement with CSIR.

The air pollution level in the air should not be more than 100 AQI according to the standards. However, the pollution level in Delhi increases several times on the night of Diwali.

How Chemicals Present In Firecrackers Affect Our Health

Copper: It affects our respiratory system.

Cadmium: It reduces the ability of your blood to carry oxygen, leading to anaemia. 

Zinc: When it is high in the air, the smoke increases. You start feeling suffocated and nauseous.

Lead: It damages the nervous system.

Magnesium: If there is magnesium in the air, you can get a fever.

Sodium: It is an extremely reactive element. It can cause burns.

(Note: This story has been translated by Ankit Kumar for Jagran English.)