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Green Crackers to make full-fledged debut in Delhi
Supreme court order on bursting crackers
- In the year 2018, the Supreme Court allowed bursting of low-emission crackers relaxing the ‘complete ban’ issued in 2017
- Such ‘green’ crackers were researched and developed by scientists at CSIR-NEERI as per the court’s directions.
What are Green crackers?
- ‘Green’ crackers have a small shell size compared to traditional crackers.
- They are produced using less harmful raw materials and have additives which reduce emissions by suppressing dust.
- Green crackers don’t contain banned chemicals such as lithium, arsenic, barium and lead.
- They are called Safe Water Releaser (SWAS), Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR) and Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL) crackers.
- Green sparklers use 32% potassium nitrate, 40% aluminium powder, 11% aluminium chips, and 17% “proprietary additives” to reduce particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 to 30%.
- Green crackers release water vapour and don’t allow the dust particles to rise. They are designed to have 30% less particulate matter pollution.
- Traditionally, firecrackers have been made with barium nitrate, antimony and a range of metals that, over the years, have been linked to respiratory diseases and even cancer
Source:
The Hindu
