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(Relevance: UPSC has frequently asked questions on environmental pollution, making it essential to understand green firecrackers and how they differ from traditional firecrackers.)

In 2023, the Supreme Court clarified that its order banning the use of barium and banned chemicals in firecrackers are applicable not just to the National Capital Region but to the entire country. The Delhi government has also ordered a complete ban on firecrackers until January 1, 2025.

1. “Green crackers” are so named because they “do not contain harmful chemicals” that would cause air pollution. Components in firecrackers are replaced with others that are “less dangerous” and “less harmful” to the atmosphere. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISR) has developed ‘green firecrackers’ to address this issue and combat pollution.

2. Both green crackers and traditional crackers cause pollution. However, the only difference is that green crackers cause 30 per cent less air pollution as compared to traditional ones. Green crackers reduce emissions substantially and absorb dust and don’t contain hazardous elements like barium nitrate. Toxic metals in traditional crackers are replaced with less hazardous compounds.

3. According to the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, green crackers must have a reduction in the size of the shell, elimination of ash usage, reduced usage of raw materials in the composition, and/or use of additives as dust suppressants to reduce particulate matter, SO2, and NO2 emissions.

Cadmium not just causes anemia but also damages the kidney while nitrate is the most harmful that causes mental impairment. The presence of nitrite causes irritation in mucous membrane, eyes, and skin.

4. These ‘green firecrackers’ have types like SWAS (safe water releaser), SAFAL (safe minimal aluminium), and STAR (safe thermite cracker).

5. SWAS is a safe water releaser, which suppresses the dust released by releasing water vapour in the air. It does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur and the particulate dust released will reduce approximately by 30 per cent.

6. SAFAL is safe minimal aluminium which has minimum usage of aluminium, and used magnesium instead. It ensures a reduction in sound in comparison to traditional crackers.

7. STAR is a safe thermite cracker, which does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur, and emits reduced particulate matter disposal and reduced sound intensity.

1. According to a study, titled ‘Are Delhi residents exposed to lesser particle number concentration due to the firework ban in the city?’, published in the journal, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, by researchers from the Delhi Technological University (DTU),  a firecracker ban can reduce up to 20-22% of certain nanoparticle emissions.

2. It analysed air quality before and after the banning of firecrackers during the Diwali celebrations of 2021 and 2022 in the national capital.

3. The inhalable nanoparticle concentration during the 2021 Diwali day was about 9.73 million nanoparticles. On the Diwali day in 2022, it was around 8.12 million nanoparticles. The total inhalable particle exposure on Diwali day decreased by approximately 1.6 million nanoparticles, around an 18% reduction from the previous year.

4. The nanoparticle pollutants, which are particularly hazardous for children and older adults, can penetrate through the skin and blood vessels due to their smaller size. The major health impacts of exposure to these are stroke, hypertension, and myocardial infarction, the study noted.

5. Also, a study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that the overall contribution of local sources, especially the transport sector, is responsible for the worsening air quality pre-Diwali in the national capital.

6. CSE found a strong correlation between vehicles, hourly changes in NOx levels, and city congestion when it analysed hourly travel time data from 25 Delhi roads between September 15 and October 29 using Google Maps API. The highest congestion was observed on the weekend before Diwali (October 27).

Conventional crackers

 

(Source: What are green crackers?, Explained: What are green crackers & how do we identify them?, Firecracker ban can reduce nanoparticle emissions by around 22%: Study, Pune: ‘Green’ firecrackers widely available, doctors contest usefulness)

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