Firecracker noise down in Mumbai, but banned chemicals found even in green crackers

Efforts to curb the deafening noise of firecrackers in Mumbai have been under way for the past two decades, and they are now showing results. Firecrackers that once exceeded 140 decibels now stay within the legal limit of 125 decibels on most occasions. But lower noise does not mean the danger has passed. Awaaz Foundation has warned that the serious risk from toxic chemicals released by firecrackers remains.

On September 8, the foundation, together with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, tested 21 types of firecrackers at the Wadala Truck Terminus. All of them exceeded the prescribed noise limit at that time. The highest reading recorded was 144.9 decibels. Regular testing and awareness campaigns followed every year. This put pressure on manufacturers to make low-noise firecrackers, and the result was that firecracker noise was brought within the legal limit.

With noise under control, the pollution caused by chemicals became more clearly visible. The organisation began testing firecrackers sold in Mumbai's markets for chemicals and heavy metals on November 10, 2012. The testing, spanning about 15 years, has found that banned hazardous chemicals such as barium are being used freely.

Most startling is that these toxic chemicals have also been found in packets sold in the market as green crackers. The organisation also found that the QR code printed on many packets is fake.

The organisation has said clearly that a firecracker does not become safe for the environment merely because it is less noisy. It has therefore appealed to people to read carefully the details printed on the packet when buying firecrackers, to check whether the QR code is genuine, and to buy only after fully satisfying themselves that the firecrackers are truly green crackers.

Having brought noise pollution under control, stopping chemical pollution is now a new challenge for the agencies concerned.