Look at This and Then Decide If You Still Want to Burst Crackers

They’re not a necessity, so let’s not be comfortable with firecrackers harming us this way. #PatakhaHayeHaye
Sameeksha Khare & Harsh Sahani
Fit
Updated:
Yes, they’re not the only source of pollution but their contribution can’t be ignored.
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(Photo: iStock/Altered by FIT)


Yes, they’re not the only source of pollution but their contribution can’t be ignored.
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 23 October lifted the complete ban on the sale of firecrackers, ANI reported. According to CNN-News18, the use of “safe and green” firecrackers, is permitted.

While banning its online sale, the court said that the use of firecrackers will be allowed only between 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali eve. On Christmas and New Year, the use of firecrackers will be allowed only between 11.45 pm to 12.45 am.

But are there anything called ‘safe and green crackers’?

Here’s what the smoke emitting objects are capable of. The fact that one evening of firecrackers can sharply multiply the already poor pollution levels in Delhi has been studied and recorded well enough.

Data Source: IndiaSpend
PM 2.5 are particles 30 times finer than human hair. WHO standard for PM 2.5 Levels: 25 units. (Data Source: IndiaSpend)
Data Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Colouring agents are chemicals used to produce the different colours crackers emit on bursting. [Data Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)]

The large amount of smoke inhaled from such a short distance from the source settles deep in our lungs and causes various health problems.

Would you be comfortable with sending your child into a room filled with the smoke of over 450 cigarettes? No, right? Then why are you comfortable with them bursting crackers?

Even if for a day, why are we comfortable with crackers causing pollution way above prescribed safe limits? Why are we comfortable with several people having to leave their homes during Diwali because of this?

They’re not a necessity, so let’s not be comfortable with crackers harming us.

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)

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This Diwali is a test for all of us as the Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi NCR and a lot of anti-cracker noise reverberates. Not everyone is happy with this, of course.

Pollution doesn’t end with Delhi NCR and even in the capital many are expected to find a way to fulfil their cracker bursting wishes despite the ban.

So, for everyone who isn’t ready to let go of their crackers, here’s what the smoke emitting objects are capable of. Yes, they’re not the only source of pollution but their contribution can’t be ignored. The fact that one evening of firecrackers can sharply multiply the already poor pollution levels in Delhi has been studied and recorded well enough.

Data Source: IndiaSpend
PM 2.5 are particles 30 times finer than human hair. WHO standard for PM 2.5 Levels: 25 units. (Data Source: IndiaSpend)
Data Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Colouring agents are chemicals used to produce the different colours crackers emit on bursting. [Data Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)]

The large amount of smoke inhaled from such a short distance from the source settles deep in our lungs and causes various health problems.

Would you be comfortable with sending your child into a room filled with the smoke of over 450 cigarettes? No, right? Then why are you comfortable with them bursting crackers?

Even if for a day, why are we comfortable with crackers causing pollution way above prescribed safe limits? Why are we comfortable with several people having to leave their homes during Diwali because of this?

They’re not a necessity, so let’s not be comfortable with crackers harming us.

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Published: 17 Oct 2017,06:55 PM IST

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