Green Crackers

Green crackers are a new kind of firework designed to reduce pollution. Unlike traditional fireworks that cause a lot of air and noise pollution, green crackers make about 30% less pollution. They do this by not using harmful chemicals like barium nitrate. Instead, they use safer materials that don't pollute the air as much. These eco-friendly fireworks come in three main types: SWAS, which releases water vapor; STAR, which makes less noise and pollution; and SAFAL, which uses less harmful metals. Experts say it's better to buy these green crackers from shops that have a special license to sell them. This way, you know you're getting the real thing. Even though green crackers are better for the environment, they still cause some pollution, so it's essential to use them carefully.

The idea for green crackers came from trying to solve the problem of air pollution caused by fireworks, especially during festivals like Diwali in India. In 2018, the Supreme Court banned the use of firecrackers and only allowed "green crackers" for a specific time window. In 2023, the government has put QR codes in place to identify green crackers, and crackers which are not labeled are illegal and are banned. In the past, fireworks have caused a lot of pollution, which is harmful to people's health and the environment. Scientists and environmentalists wanted to find a way to keep the tradition of fireworks but make it safer and cleaner.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and its team at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) created green crackers. These are special fireworks that don't use the most harmful chemicals found in traditional fireworks. The National Green Tribunal (NGT), which adjudicates environmental issues in India said that green crackers could be used in places where the air isn't very clean. This was a big step towards making festivals less harmful to the planet. Green crackers are part of a bigger effort to fight air pollution and protect people's health while still enjoying traditional celebrations.

There are three types of green crackers you can buy:

1. SWAS (Safe Water Releaser)
• Releases water vapour, avoiding harmful emissions.
• Does not contain sulphur or potassium nitrate.
• Acts as a diluent for gaseous emissions.
• Reduces particulate matter emissions by 30%.
2. STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker)
• Free from sulphur and potassium nitrate.
• Lowers the amount of particulate matter released.
• Features reduced sound intensity.
3. SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium)
• Minimizes the use of aluminium, substituting it with magnesium.
• Also designed to produce less noise.

• Noise Level: Green crackers produce sound in the range of 110 to 125 decibels, significantly lower than the 160 decibels produced by regular crackers.
• Identification: To easily identify green crackers, they come with a green logo and a Quick Response (QR) code.
• Use Safer chemicals like potassium nitrate and aluminium, which means they're not only less harmful to breathe in but also quieter.
• Production and Certification: Only specific manufacturers that have permission from CSIR can make these crackers. They also need to be checked and approved by PESO to make sure they're safe and not too loud. This is important to ensure that the crackers really are better for the environment.
• PESO stands for Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. It's a part of the government that makes sure things like explosives (which include firecrackers) and gas are safe to use. It was set up a long time ago, in 1898, and its main office is in Nagpur.

Traditional firecrackers typically contain

1. Fuel: Charcoal or Thermite.
2. Oxidizing Agents: Nitrates and chlorates to produce oxygen inside the cracker.
3. Reducing Agent: Sulphur, which burns oxygen.
4. Regulators: To control the speed and intensity of explosions.
5. Color Agents: Various metal salts to produce different colors.

Traditional firecrackers release a variety of toxic metals which can be harmful to health, such as:

1. Aluminum , magnesium, titanium (white color)
2. carbon or iron (orange color),
3. sodium compounds (yellow),
4. copper compounds and strontium carbonates (blue and red)
5. Barium salts, which produce a green color, are particularly hazardous.

Exposure to the chemicals in firecrackers can lead to various health issues:

1. Lead: Affects the nervous system.
2. Copper: Causes respiratory tract irritation.
3. Sodium: Leads to skin problems.
4. Magnesium: Can cause metal fume fever.
5. Cadmium: Damages kidneys and causes anemia.
6. Nitrates: Lead to mental impairment and mucous membrane irritation.

Advantages:

1. Reduced Pollution: Green crackers significantly lower air pollution levels, especially important during the winter months when smog is a major issue.
2. Fewer Accidents: With controlled sound and intensity, green crackers are less likely to cause mishaps compared to traditional firecrackers.
3. Lowered Emissions: The use of less harmful raw materials and dust suppression techniques means that green crackers release fewer particulates and toxic gases into the atmosphere.

Disadvantages:

1. Limited Production: Only companies with a CSIR contract can produce green crackers, potentially leading to unemployment in the traditional firecracker manufacturing sector.
2. Availability and Cost: The specialized components required for green crackers are not widely available, which can limit production and increase costs. This has led to a concentration of green cracker production in places like Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, which produces about 70% of India’s crackers.

1. Manufacturing Limitations: Right now, only big companies that have an agreement with CSIR can make green crackers. This leaves out smaller businesses and could mean fewer jobs in this area.
2. Awareness and Availability: Not everyone knows how to find green crackers, and some people still prefer the traditional kind because they're more familiar or easier to find. Plus, green crackers might cost more, which can also make people hesitant to switch.

1. Promote Companies To make sure green crackers can really make a difference, the government should allow more companies to make them.
2. Strict Implementation: by authorities of the law.
3. Public Awareness: People need to be taught about why green crackers are a good idea and how to make sure they're buying the real thing. They should be informed about the Supreme Court ban on using toxic firecrackers.

Green crackers, developed by CSIR-NEERI, provide a solution to reduce pollution during festivals. With lower emissions and controlled sound levels, they mitigate environmental and health risks associated with traditional fireworks. Additionally, they contribute to national missions such as reducing particulate matter and align with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 8, promoting healthy lives, well-being, and sustainable economic growth. However, challenges like limited production and awareness persist. To maximize their impact, promoting more companies to produce green crackers, strict enforcement of regulations, and public education are important steps towards a cleaner and safer celebration culture.