Diwali Air-pollution - use of Green Crackers is an alternative!!

Diwali air pollution,Indian city. stockpicturesforeveryone.com 

Air pollution, ground pollution and Diwali season. dailymail.co.u

Creen Crackers-alternative to air-pollution. .citywoofer.com

Diwali being  one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm across India, in Delhi government officials are working hard to reduce surge in air pollution after Diwali season. Though the festival of lights is a joyous occasion, the people of Delhi and other cities are concerned about the spike in particulates after the festival season and the health problems associated with respiration and eye -irritation  after the season is  over.  To avoid the growing environmental issues related to fireworks, efforts are made to introduce green fireworks.   

This year, the Festival of Lights will be celebrated with much fanfare and fervour on Sunday, November 12. The day celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair and good over evil. Apart from decorating homes with lights and diyas, making rangolis, wearing new clothes and performing puja, fireworks and crackers are also part of the Diwali celebrations.

.Green firecrackers' civilsdaily.com

Despite the fact, that bursting fireworks for children and adults during the Diwali season is fun in the past, more than a decade dominated by world wide global warming and climate  changes, air pollution has also become a serious issue to be addressed. The bursting of traditional fireworks made of all kinds of toxic chemicals  during festival season has further added to the growing environmental concerns and its impact on the climate. 

Many states  are now promoting eco-friendly and soundless Diwali celebrations to reduce not only air pollution but also noise pollution. In the present scenarios across major cities, big towns and villages, using of  eco-friendly crackers is the only  alternative to safeguard the environment on the ground and in the air.  In terms of cost of manufacturing, it is almost  the same, or may even cost less than the traditional crackers. People are advised to buy fireworks from authorized agents and not from street vendors

What are eco-friendly  green Crackers? 

01. Developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi Green crackers made of harmless chemicals are   environmentally friendly and can  reduce the air pollution to a large extend  caused by traditional fire crackers.

02. According to CSIR,  firecrackers have a smaller shell, no ash and/or additives such as dust suppressants to reduce emissions, especially particulate matter. 

03.Traditional firecrackers are made of  harmful chemicals such as   sulphur nitrates, arsenic, magnesium, sodium, lead, and barium. Barium (source mineral is Barites; Andhra is a major source) is a metal oxide that pollutes the air and causes noise. Conventional firecrackers are noisy, producing high  decibel sounds of about 160 plus. 
 
4. Besides, ''Conventional Crackers'' contain  Fuel: mainly charcoal or thermite;  oxidising agents such as nitrates and chlorates which produce oxygen inside the cracker;  reducing agents like sulphur, to  burn the oxygen present in the firecracker;  regulators to ensure the speed and intensity with which a cracker bursts and  coloring agents - multiple colours appear when a cracker bursts, the colouring agents play key role. Different elements  provide different colors

05. Green crackers do not contain   barium compounds that give them their distinctive green colour.

06. Burning green crackers releases  water vapour  into the atmosphere to reduce dust  which reduces the amount of dust emitted. 

07. Green firecrackers, unlike traditional ones,  produce less sounds between 110 and 125 decibels -  almost 30 per cent less noisy than conventional firecrackers. 

08. These green crackers include flower pots, pencils, sparklers, maroons, bombs, and chakkar and have been developed by the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab.  The categories include: 

09. SWAS (Safe Water Releaser): It releases water vapour into the atmosphere to reduce dust. It emits 30% less particulate matter and does not contain sulphur or potassium nitrate.

10. STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker): Contains no potassium nitrate or sulphur, emits less particulate matter and reduces sound intensity.

11. SAFAL: It has minimal use of aluminium and more magnesium. It produces less noise than traditional firecrackers.

(CSIR) assigned an agreement with about  230 companies for manufacturing and selling these green crackers on the market.   

https://byjus.com/govt-exams/green-crackers