Green Crackers

In News

Recently, the Chandigarh government has allowed the use of green crackers.

About 

  • Three Categories of Green Crackers: developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
    • SWAS (Safe water releaser)
      • Have a small water pocket/droplets which get released when burst, in the form of vapour.
      • Suppresses the dust released by releasing water vapour in the air. 
      • Does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur and the particulate dust released will reduce approximately by 30 percent.
    • STAR (Safe thermite cracker)
      • Does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur, 
      • Emits reduced particulate matter disposal and reduced sound intensity. 
    • SAFAL (Safe minimal aluminium)
      • Has minimum usage of aluminium, and used magnesium instead. 
      • Ensures reduction in sound in comparison to traditional crackers.
  • Advantages of Green crackers
    • Reduction in size of shell,
    • Elimination of ash usage, 
    • Reduced usage of raw materials, uniform acceptable quality, etc.,
    • Leading to reduction of particulate matter and gaseous emission.
  • Different from Traditional Crackers: 
  • Green crackers cause 30 percent less air pollution as compared to traditional ones. 
  • Green crackers reduce emissions substantially and absorb dust and don’t contain hazardous elements like barium nitrate. 
  • Permission to Use:
    • According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), green crackers are permitted only in cities and towns where air quality is moderate or poor.
  • Guidelines to choose the Right Green Cracker:
    • Buy green crackers only from licensed sellers.
    • Identify through the CSIR NEERI logo. 

Chemicals in Traditional Crackers

  • White color – aluminium, magnesium and titanium
  • Orange colour –  carbon or iron. 
  • Yellow agents – sodium compounds 
  • Blue and red – copper compounds and strontium carbonates. 
  • Green agent – barium mono chloride salts or barium nitrate or barium chlorate.

Impacts

  • Lead in crackers impact the nervous system;
  • Copper triggers respiratory tract irritation, 
  • Sodium causes skin issues and magnesium leads to mental fume fever. 
  • Cadmium not just causes anemia but also damages the kidney.
  • Nitrate is the most harmful that causes mental impairment. The presence of nitrite causes irritation in mucous membrane, eyes and skin. 

Source: IE