India is among one of the most polluted countries in the world. As the air is growing toxic over days, concerns over air pollution have increased as Diwali is coming. The Supreme Court directed that only green firecrackers will be sold across the country, with low emissions and sound levels.
Scientists at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have formulated eco-friendly crackers, which will not only help to reduce emissions but also help people get relief from noise pollution.
“Green crackers are basically reduced emission crackers wherein we reduce some harmful components, like Barium, Aluminum and Chromium which are conventionally used to get different colors,” explains Dr Rakesh Kumar, Director of CSIR- National Environment Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), to Mint.
Kumar adds that the strategy is to reduce or replace these harmful components with less toxic chemicals which can bring down emissions to significant levels.
The CSIR is working on developing firecrackers that reduce 30-35% reduction in emission of particulate matter and other harmful chemicals like Oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen. Even their sound levels are less than 120 decibels. They have even prepared prototypes of e-crackers.
According to The Indian Express, “Scientists have also developed potential sound-emitting functional prototypes that do not emit Sulphur dioxide, and are testing a prototype of flower pots substituting barium nitrate with an eco-friendly version.”
Scientists at CSIR’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) have prepared chemical formulations for green crackers which aren’t launched in the market yet.
Rakesh Kumar, Director of NEERI said that once the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) approves the prototypes sent to the, they can assist manufactures with the production process, help them meet the steep demand for such products now that authorities are expected to clamp down on conventional firecrackers.
The products might not be available for mass production this Diwali since scientists are on the path of manufacturing them. However, a prototype which was approved by PESO last year could be available.
The Centre directed the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute to develop e-crackers. “We are ready with prototypes which can generate patterns of colors and noise within the prescribed limit. We are now waiting for its production,” said CEERI Director to the Times Of India.
Now that green crackers are on its way, we hope that it affects the environment in a positive way and people use it wisely.
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