17 firecrackers tested for noise at Chembur, 11 packets carry no noise level

Ahead of Diwali, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Awaaz Foundation tested the noise of 17 kinds of firecrackers on November 5 at the RCF ground in Chembur. The exercise was part of the two bodies' annual noise testing. All the firecrackers stayed within the prescribed limit of 125 dB(A), though some went above 90 dB(A) during the test.

The test used MPCB noise monitors, which record both dB(A) and dB(C) levels. The dB(A) reading is generally used to measure sound audible to the human ear. The highest reading in the open ground was 93.1 dB(A), according to the live reading. MPCB has not yet released its formal report.

The 17 varieties tested included light fountains, crackling fountains, strings of firecrackers (ladis), 240-shot crackers, sutli bombs and rocket bombs. The loudest was a 10,000-shot ladi at 93.1 dB(A). A sutli bomb registered 91.8 dB(A). The readings were taken during the test at the RCF ground in Chembur East.

Concerns also emerged over packaging. Of the 17 firecrackers tested, 11 packets did not state the noise level at all. The QR codes on eight packets could not be scanned. It was also observed that all the firecrackers tested emitted smoke.

Sumaira Abdulali, head of Awaaz Foundation, said, "dB(A) is the sound frequency that humans can generally hear, and in these tests we recorded a maximum of 91 dB(A). Sound above 80 dB(A), if sustained, can strain the human ear."

This is the foundation's 20th year of testing firecrackers. According to Abdulali, decibel levels have fallen overall over the years. She also said the foundation separately tests the chemical composition of firecrackers. This year, the firecrackers were bought two days before the test.

As in previous years, the firecrackers were tested by bursting them in an open ground. However, experts cautioned that the noise can increase when many firecrackers go off together, or in enclosed spaces such as between buildings. This year the Bombay High Court has asked citizens not to burst firecrackers in public places.

An MPCB official said, "We appeal to citizens to avoid firecrackers. If they still burst them, it is better to buy green firecrackers approved by the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, which reduce emissions by 25 to 30 per cent."