Maximum pollution during Diwali observed is due to burning of fire crackers or fireworks. Moreover, fire crackers release toxic chemicals during combustion. It definitely makes it difficult for people to breathe.
In the United States, fireworks release about 60,340 metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the annual CO2 output of about 12,000 cars. In previous years, it has been observed that Delhi's air quality becomes 'critical' after the day of Diwali. Also, the harmful effects of burning crackers persist for several days after daylight. During fireworks, metal salts and explosives undergo a chemical reaction that releases many toxic chemicals into the atmosphere in the form of smoke.
This includes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides – three greenhouse gases that are unfortunately responsible for climate change. Fireworks produce highly toxic gases and pollutants that contaminate air, water and soil, which are harmful to birds, wildlife, pets and human beings. It seriously affects a person's mental health and causes hormonal imbalance. In comparison, green crackers are environmentally friendly fireworks and can reduce air pollution caused by traditional crackers. These are developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
These green crackers include flower pots, pencils, sparklers, maroons, bombs etc and have been developed by the National Environment and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), CSIR Laboratory. There has been a remarkable increase in SMOG (smoke+fog) in the atmosphere of urban cities and metros. It should also be remembered that over the years there have been many accidents due to fireworks in which children and adults have died due to fire incidents. With the production of green crackers, such accidents can also be reduced.
Conventional crackers are composed of highly toxic chemicals (materials and metals) that increase particulate matter (PM) levels in the air on combustion. PM 2.5 particles affect humans and cause respiratory problems. Very fine particles enter the throat and the lungs, causing serious long-term health effects. Such high levels of pollution affect children, pregnant women and senior citizens. Mostly green crackers do not contain barium nitrate which is the most dangerous ingredient present in conventional crackers. Green crackers use alternative chemicals such as potassium nitrate and aluminum instead of magnesium and barium, and carbon instead of arsenic and other harmful pollutants.
Regular crackers emit noise between 160 decibels and 200 decibels, while green crackers are limited to about 100-130 decibels. These are not completely pollution free but significantly less pollutant as compared to regular crackers. But with all these advantages, the biggest drawback of green crackers is that only manufacturers who have an agreement with CSIR will be allowed to produce these crackers. The ingredients needed to make green crackers may not be available to everyone. So they may not be available in abundance.
Green cracker has been developed as a green substitute to traditional crackers to control air pollution and noise pollution. Although beautiful and enjoyable, fireworks usually pollute the atmosphere and hence are not a green choice of entertainment.
(Dr Senapati is Dean Science, BPUT, and Professor of Chemistry,
Trident Academy of Technology, Bhubaneswar)