What are green firecrackers and how to recognise them  Premium

The season of festivals -- Deepavali, Christmas and New Year that follow each other in quick succession -- is marked by cheer and fervour. But lurking behind it all is also the fear of air and noise pollution. One of the attempts to ensure that festivities do not come at the cost environment has been the drive to promote “green firecrackers.” The Karnataka government has brought out guidelines stating that only less-polluting green firecrackers can be sold in the State.

The season of festivals -- Deepavali, Christmas and New Year that follow each other in quick succession -- is marked by cheer and fervour. But lurking behind it all is also the fear of air and noise pollution. One of the attempts to ensure that festivities do not come at the cost environment has been the drive to promote “green firecrackers.” The Karnataka government has brought out guidelines stating that only less-polluting green firecrackers can be sold in the State.

It was back in 2018 that the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Insititute (CSIR-NEERI) introduced idea of a greener festive season.

These less polluting firecrackers -- named SWAS, SAFAL and STAR -- are not only eco-friendly but 15-20 % cheaper than the conventional ones. Highlighting that the Indian Fireworks industry is worth over ₹6,000 crore of annual turnover and provides employment opportunities to over 5 lakh families directly or indirectly, CSIR back then claimed that this endeavour aims at addressing the pollution concerns while also protecting the livelihoods of those involved in this trade. 

Green firecrackers are marked by reduced size of shell, elimination of ash usage, reduced usage of raw material in the compositions, and have a uniformly acceptable quality. They use additives as dust suppressants to reduce emissions with specific reference to particulate matter (PM). These crackers lack the barium compounds responsible for their unique green hue. Barium, a metallic oxide, is known to contribute to air pollution and noise pollution. When green crackers are ignited, they produce water vapor, thereby minimizing dust emissions. In terms of sound levels, green firecrackers generate noise ranging from 110 to 125 decibels, making them significantly quieter than traditional firecrackers, which typically produce around 160 decibels, resulting in nearly 30% less noise. 

Amidst multiple fire accidents in Bengaluru and a major firecracker accident that led to the death of 14 people in Attibele on the outskirts of the city last month, the Karnataka government on October 10 reiterated a slew of safety measures. This included a ban on bursting conventional firecrackers during political processions, festivals, religious processions and marriages.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who along with his deputy D.K. Shivakumar held a high-level meeting on safety during Deepavali, said that the order was as per the Supreme Court order that says that only green crackers should be sold and used. The government has also decided to renew all licenses every year. At present, one license under the Explosives Act is valid for five years. The Chief Minister has instructed officials that licenses must be obtained by vendors every year on the basis of the previous year’s performance.

Meanwhile, many environment-conscious Bengalureans have urged the Government of Karnataka to strictly ban the sale of non-green firecrackers. Recently, citizen activists Harini Raghavan, Srini Yelandur and Priya Chetty Rajagopal of Public Health Action (PACT) and The Compassionate City wrote a letter addressed to Home Minister G. Parameshwara, urging the ban on the sale of non-green crackers, monitor sales at sensitive areas, and to impose strict timings on when firecrackers can be burnt.