Diwali is here. Like every time, this time too a debate broke out about firecrackers. Many states, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, have banned the burning of firecrackers. This is because the smoke from firecrackers makes the already bad air even worse. At the same time, those who advocate setting off firecrackers argue that the smoke produced by setting off firecrackers is not as much as the noise.
Firecrackers have been banned in Delhi-NCR for several years. But despite this, there were still a lot of firecrackers set off here, and there were also a lot of fireworks.
Delhi’s air has started deteriorating even before Diwali. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was 356 on October 27. AQI levels are classified as “very bad” when they are between 301 and 400. If the level exceeds 400, it is considered “critical.”
On one hand, air pollution is getting worse in the Delhi National Capital Territory and on the other hand, many families are still talking about setting off firecrackers on Diwali. A survey conducted by the Local Circle organization revealed that 18% of households in the National Capital Region of Delhi light firecrackers on Diwali. 9% of the respondents even said that they would set off firecrackers on Diwali and knew how to arrange it.
Not only in Delhi, there is also a complete ban on burning firecrackers in Bihar. Firecrackers will also be banned in Gurgaon, Haryana. In states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Punjab, setting off firecrackers is allowed with some restrictions.
But will the ban have an impact?
Even before winter sets in, pollution in the National Capital Region of Delhi starts to increase. But setting off firecrackers is prohibited. It is believed that if firecrackers are not set off, pollution will not increase much.
But will it happen? To understand this, in February 2018, the University of Minnesota and the National Institute of Finance and Policy conducted a study on the impact of firecrackers on Delhi’s harsh air. For this purpose, data are taken from 2013 to 2016. According to the data, PM2.5 concentration in Delhi is said to increase by 40% every year on the second day of Diwali. Meanwhile, PM2.5 increased by 100% between 6 pm and 11 pm on Diwali.
Likewise, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report was released in May 2021. This report provides information on air pollution and noise pollution around Diwali 2020. The report contains data from eight cities including Delhi, Bhopal, Agra, and Bangalore.
According to the report, after Diwali, PM10 concentrations in eight cities increased by 22% to 114% the next day. It is understood that after Diwali, the PM10 concentration in Delhi increased by 67.1%. While Lucknow saw an increase of 114%. Meanwhile, PM2.5 concentration increased by 82.9% in Delhi and 67.6% in Lucknow.
Not only that, a company called Airvoice recently released a report. This report conducts a study on Diwali from 2017 to 2023. It is said that PM2.5 concentration exceeded the legal limit on Diwali night in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states in northern India by 875%.
Consider that last year Diwali was on November 12th. According to the CPCB, Delhi’s air quality index was 220 on the 11th. It dropped to 218 on the 12th, but further increased to 358 on the 13th, and reached 397 on November 14th.
How dangerous are firecrackers?
The air is already bad, and setting off firecrackers makes it worse. Firecrackers further increase pollutants in the air. Not only this, but the different chemicals present in firecrackers also get mixed in the air. These not only increase air pollution but also affect our health.
In 2016, the Pune-based Chest Research Foundation published a study. This study reveals information that suggests firecrackers are more dangerous than we thought.
Burning 2932 cigarettes creates the same amount of pollution as burning one snake pill on Diwali. This means that the amount of PM2.5 pollutants released by a cigarette is equivalent to the amount released by burning a snake pill.
Burning a cigarette releases 22 micrograms/cubic meter of PM2.5 particles. At the same time, snake pills will release 64,500 micrograms/cubic meter of particles when burned. According to this calculation, when the snake pill is burned, it releases PM2.5 particles equivalent to 2932 cigarettes.
What chemicals are used in firecrackers?
Dangerous chemicals are used in making firecrackers. These chemicals not only increase air pollution but also have adverse health effects.
– Sulfur dioxide: Thousands of tons of sulfur are burned in fireworks every year. When sulfur mixes with particulate matter, it can make the air toxic. Sulfur also increases the risk of asthma.
-Potassium nitrate: To make the firecrackers produce a louder sound, potassium nitrate is added to them. Potassium nitrate may irritate eyes and skin.
– Ammonium and potassium: These chemicals used in firecrackers can have adverse effects on the thyroid gland. This also increases the risk of lung cancer.
– Boron nitrate: This is considered a highly toxic chemical. Boron nitrate can cause difficulty breathing. Apart from that, it can also cause gas problems.
– Antimony sulfide: It emits toxic fumes that can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, ulcers and vomiting in the long term.
– Nitrogen dioxide: It is also a highly toxic chemical that can cause a lot of problems for young children. Its presence in the air also damages the ozone layer.
Lithium compounds: It emits toxic, irritating fumes. This may cause eye and skin irritation.
– Lead dioxide: This can be very dangerous for unborn children and young children. Apart from this, it is also poisonous to trees, plants and animals.
Is the cracker solely responsible?
Experts believe that setting off firecrackers does increase pollution, but in addition, there are other sources of pollution. Examples include smoke from vehicles, industry, construction activities and thermal power plants.
In August 2018, a parliamentary committee submitted a report on the “Air Pollution Situation in the National Capital Region of Delhi” to the Rajya Sabha. The report stated that vehicles contributed to 25% of the increase in PM2.5 in the air of the National Capital Region of Delhi. Smoke from trucks is also the most polluting in this regard.
In addition to this, farmers in the western states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh burn stubble every October to November, exacerbating pollution. A study by IIT Kanpur showed that straw contributed 17% to the increase in PM10 levels and 26% to the increase in PM2.5 levels in the air of the National Capital Region of Delhi.
Apart from this, pollution is also exacerbated by toxic gases from dust accumulated on roads, dust from construction activities and waste accumulated in landfills.
