NEERI developing new green crackers to cut emissions by 45 to 60 per cent

Concern over air and noise pollution from firecrackers during Diwali and other occasions persists in Nagpur district. Amid this, the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has taken a major initiative.

NEERI is working on new formulations that can cut emissions by 45 to 60 per cent compared with traditional firecrackers. The institute is also trying to revive the traditional string-cracker industry, so that artisans who lost their livelihoods in the past few years can get relief.

Joshua Kripadam, coordinator of the National Centre of Excellence for Green Crackers set up at NEERI, said the institute is preparing 12 to 13 new formulations. Crackers made from them will emit either less smoke or so little that it is not visible.

NEERI has developed a formulation before, but it cut emissions by only 25 to 30 per cent. The new formulations are said to be capable of reducing pollution by 45 to 60 per cent. Work is continuing to bring these green crackers to market by next Diwali.

It was also clarified that "green crackers" do not mean zero pollution. They mean that these crackers emit considerably less than traditional ones.

On employment, strings account for roughly 20 to 30 per cent of the firecracker market. They are traditionally made by hand or with small tools. Over the past five to seven years, restrictions and rules cost many people in this industry their work. NEERI wants production to follow the rules and environmental norms, so that the environment is protected and these artisans also get a chance to work.

Noise is an equally important issue. Hundreds or thousands of crackers go off together in a string, producing very loud noise. In a string of 1,000 crackers, the noise level reaches about 130 to 140 decibels, against the prescribed limit of 125 decibels. NEERI is also researching how to bring this loud noise within the prescribed norms. The institute's larger aim is to promote scientifically made, low-emission crackers.