Firecrackers – The Machanism, Regulations & Impacts
iasparliament
October 13, 2017
What is the issue?
Supreme Court has recently banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.
But research on crackers & its impact is lacking in the country.
How has CPCB’s position been?
In 2016, a great smog enveloped Delhi for days after Diwali.
SC mandated the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment, to study the effects of firecrackers.
CPCB noted that the competence for such a study lies with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) - the explosives regulator under the Commerce Ministry.
It nevertheless did review existing literature on the subject and put together a summary.
It listed the health impacts of fireworks, delved into the chemical processes involved, and the toxic substances that are released.
What is the Chemistry of fireworks?
Explosive fireworks depend on four primary ingredients — oxidiser, fuel, colouring agents & binder.
The oxidisers in fireworks are chemicals that release oxygen to allow the explosion to take place. Ex: Nitrates, chlorates.
The fuel for burning is usually charcoal.
Colouring agents impart desired colours like aluminium compounds for brilliant whites, barium nitrate for greens.
Binders are used to hold the mixture of the firework together in a paste while burning.
Also, other metals like titanium & strontium are added to regulate the speed of the burning reaction.
What are the existing guidelines?
Currently, guidelines exist four types of explosive firecrackers — atom bombs, Chinese crackers, garland crackers and maroons.
The guidelines for these were drawn up by PESO in 2008 after the Supreme Court ordered it to regulate regarding their composition.
According to these guidelines, the sulphur, nitrate & aluminium power contents must not exceed 20%, 57%, & 24% respectively.
In July 2016 the SC ordered that no firecrackers shall contain antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic and lead.
What are the studies that establish health risks?
Studies in Europe, Canada and China have established links between fireworks bursting and variations in air quality.
A 2014 study on ‘Impact of Fireworks on Respiratory Health’, in India, showed an increased risk of asthma & cancers due to crackers.
A 2007 study published in ‘Atmospheric Environment’ magazine established that children were at a greater risk due to cracker enhanced particulate matter in the air.
