The Supreme Court has said a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into the firecracker industry, including in Tamil Nadu, revealed rampant violation of its ban on use of toxic ingredients like Barium and its salts.

Air Pollution created by firecrackers

• Firing crackers increase the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air.
• After firing, the fine dust particles get settled on the surrounding surfaces which are packed with chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead, magnesium, cadmium and pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
• These invisible yet harmful particles affect the environment and in turn, put our health at stake.

Harmful elements used

• Copper: Irritates the respiratory tract.
• Cadmium: Leads to anemia by reducing the capacity of blood to carry oxygen.
• Zinc: Can cause metal fume fever and induces vomiting.
• Lead: Harms the nervous system.
• Magnesium: Metal fume fever is caused by Magnesium fumes.
• Sodium: It is a highly reactive element and caused burns when it is combined with moisture.

Why is the issue in news now?

Ans. Barium content

• A chemical analysis of the samples of finished and semi-finished firecrackers and raw materials taken from the manufacturers showed Barium content.
• The court stated that loose quantities of Barium were purchased from the market.
• Also, firecracker covers did not show the manufacture or expiry dates.

Issues with Barium

• Barium nitrate, which emits green flames when a cracker is lit, is a metal oxide that increases both air and noise pollution.
• There is is no clarity on whether barium nitrate can actually be used or not.

Alternatives: Green Crackers

• The new CSIR-NEERI formulation for green crackers has NO barium nitrate — one of the key ingredients of traditional firecrackers.
• These crackers have been named “safe water releaser (SWAS)”, “safe minimal aluminium (SAFAL)” and “safe thermite cracker (STAR)”.
• The three crackers release water vapour or air as a dust suppressant and diluent for gaseous emissions.
• These products can only be manufactured by those who have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with CSIR-NEERI.
• The green crackers are sold with a unique logo on the box, and will also have a QR code with production and emission details.

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