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Crackers: Burning holes in pockets, lungs, ozone layer…
Lamps, lights, candles, sweets, rangoli, new dresses, family reunions… and crackers. This is what comes to our minds when we think about Dusshera. But just a second. Is the order right? Nowadays crackers that have become synonymous with Dusshera forcing the others to a backseat.
Lamps, lights, candles, sweets, rangoli, new dresses, family reunions… and crackers. This is what comes to our minds when we think about Dusshera. But just a second. Is the order right? Nowadays crackers that have become synonymous with Dusshera forcing the others to a backseat.
In fact, crackers have become an integral part of the Dusshera and unfortunately, over the years, the festival has lost its sanctity and has turned into a festival of pollution, noise, crackers and serious health hazards.
The most affected are pregnant women, children and those suffering from respiratory problems. According to Dr N P Singh, Department of Medicine, Loknayak Hospital, “Due to Dusshera the air and noise pollution level would definitely increase. The gasses emitted by bursting crackers are very noxious and toxic that would worsen the situation for bronchal patients.” Even Dr Rajesh Chawla of Apollo hospital on querying said, “The level of suspended particles in the air increases alarmingly during Dusshera, causing eye, throat and nose problems.” Rise in temperature
According to meteorological officials Dusshera-related pollution has a bearing also on the atmospheric temperature. Extensive burning of crackers can may lead to an increase in the temperature by as much as two degrees celsius, especially in densely populated cities during these two days.
Brunt faced by nature
It is just not the human beings but even the trees and plants, that have to bear the brunt of this deadly pollution. Environmentalist Iqbal Malik of Vatvaran says, “Scores of crackers that go up in smoke, burden the trees with thick layers of sulphur dust as well as particulate matter, thereby preventing them from basic funtions like breathing.” The edges of the stomata, the breathing pores, get damaged and have signs similar to burn injuries. Even the fruits on the trees get blackened due to cracker smoke.” As per her the best remedy for plants to survive this toxic onslaught is give them a thorough wash the next morning to rid them of the harmful chemicals that settle on the leaves. Noise pollution
Dr N P Singh of Loknayak Hospital says, “The noise pollution reaches an alarming level during this festive season. So, much so that the sound levels increase to 145 to 160 decibels at peak levels. These decibel levels match those produced by firearms.” Moreover, the recent direction by the Delhi High Court imposing a ban on high noise crackers to limit the air and noise pollution caused by them has come as a relief. The Ministry of Environment and Forest has asked all the cracker factory owners to mark the level of pollution to be caused by the firecrackers, especially, rockets and atom bomb on their packaging. Thus, any cracker making sound of more than 125 decibels i.e., equivalent to sound of a car tyre burst, cannot be used during the festivals.
The most affected are pregnant women, children and those suffering from respiratory problems. According to Dr N P Singh, Department of Medicine, Loknayak Hospital, “Due to Dusshera the air and noise pollution level would definitely increase. The gasses emitted by bursting crackers are very noxious and toxic that would worsen the situation for bronchal patients.” Even Dr Rajesh Chawla of Apollo hospital on querying said, “The level of suspended particles in the air increases alarmingly during Dusshera, causing eye, throat and nose problems.” Rise in temperature
According to meteorological officials Dusshera-related pollution has a bearing also on the atmospheric temperature. Extensive burning of crackers can may lead to an increase in the temperature by as much as two degrees celsius, especially in densely populated cities during these two days.
Brunt faced by nature
It is just not the human beings but even the trees and plants, that have to bear the brunt of this deadly pollution. Environmentalist Iqbal Malik of Vatvaran says, “Scores of crackers that go up in smoke, burden the trees with thick layers of sulphur dust as well as particulate matter, thereby preventing them from basic funtions like breathing.” The edges of the stomata, the breathing pores, get damaged and have signs similar to burn injuries. Even the fruits on the trees get blackened due to cracker smoke.” As per her the best remedy for plants to survive this toxic onslaught is give them a thorough wash the next morning to rid them of the harmful chemicals that settle on the leaves. Noise pollution
Dr N P Singh of Loknayak Hospital says, “The noise pollution reaches an alarming level during this festive season. So, much so that the sound levels increase to 145 to 160 decibels at peak levels. These decibel levels match those produced by firearms.” Moreover, the recent direction by the Delhi High Court imposing a ban on high noise crackers to limit the air and noise pollution caused by them has come as a relief. The Ministry of Environment and Forest has asked all the cracker factory owners to mark the level of pollution to be caused by the firecrackers, especially, rockets and atom bomb on their packaging. Thus, any cracker making sound of more than 125 decibels i.e., equivalent to sound of a car tyre burst, cannot be used during the festivals.