Diwali 2020: As Green Crackers Become The Mantra This Year, Know If It Is Effective In Controlling Pollution

The government has stressed the use of green crackers this year for Diwali. Know what they are made of and how it affects pollution.

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New Delhi: With rising pollution levels, green crackers have become the go-to option this Diwali. These are supposed to cause 30 percent less pollution than conventional fireworks. Green crackers are only found in India and in 2019 when they were first released it was touted as ‘eco-friendly’ by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.  What are green crackers? Firecrackers are a mix of harmful chemicals and metals which are known to pose a serious threat to the respiratory system. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute defines green firecrackers as “fireworks/firecrackers made with a reduction in the size of shell, elimination of ash usage etc., reduced usage of raw materials in the compositions, of uniform acceptable quality, and/or use of additives as dust suppressants to reduce emissions with specific reference to particulate matter(PM*)” The government body also says that the formulation of these crackers helps in reducing the PM levels by 30 %. What is it made of? Usually, a several chemicals such as antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, barium oxides, potassium nitrate, and barium nitrate are used for making crackers. Since these chemicals are harmful pollutants they are banned by the Supreme Court. Green crackers use a special formulation that reduces the amount of these chemicals. Types of green crackers There are three types that are available in India Safe Water Releasers (SWAS): These crackers emit water vapour while exploding which helps in reducing dust particles. It is made without sulphur or potassium nitrate. Safe Thermite Crackers (STAR): These crackers come with reduced Thermite amount which is a chemical that is used as fuel. Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL): These have minimal usage of aluminium (only in flash powder for initiation). This helps in reducing particulate matter. Manufacturers need to sign a deal with the CSIR to make these fireworks. Are they effective in controlling pollution? There has been a lot of debate on whether these crackers are really effective in reducing air pollution. A report by Mint Lounge, says that the Supreme Court was not convinced when in 2019, the Union ministry of environment, forests, and climate change told the Supreme Court that it had approved new formulation which contains a reduced amount of Barium as oxidiser. This new formula is also being used by many manufacturers and in the report P. Ganesan, president of Tanfama and owner of Sony Fireworks in Sivakasi, said that 80% of crackers use 'improved' formula with barium. Earlier this month the National Green Tribunal(NGT) had asked for a blanket ban on all crackers including green crackers as these have no impact on air pollution.