What is a ‘green cracker’? This institute just made one

NEW DELHI: No firecracker can be absolutely pollution-free, but scientists at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have arrived at formulations which may well be categorised as ‘Green Crackers’ due to their substantially reduced emission levels and their ability to absorb dust.

One of the formulations can even produce water molecules, which suppress dust and significantly reduce hazardous particulate matter.

Besides, prototypes of e-crackers (electronic crackers) are ready for adoption if people are willing to make the switch.

Developed by scientists at CSIR’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), these formulations have been sent to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) — a statutory authority entrusted with framing rules under the Explosives Act, 1884, and the Inflammable Substances Act, 1952.

“Once PESO approves these formulations, manufacturers will go ahead with production. We can even handhold the manufacturers so that they can quickly scale it up to meet demand,” said NEERI director Rakesh Kumar.

The Supreme Court in its order on Tuesday insisted that only ‘Green Crackers’ and ‘improved crackers’ be used. CSIR’s Green Crackers should lead to a 30-35% reduction in particulate matter and a significant decline in hazardous nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide.

“It’s due to in-situ water generation in the crackers itself. The system produces water molecules after reaction and thus act as dust suppressant,” said NEERI scientist Sadhana Rayalu.

She told TOI that the institute also provided other formulations, including one with lower aluminum content, which may reduce emissions substantially.

It’s now up to PESO to approve these formulation quickly and pave the way for use of ‘Green Crackers’ as quickly as possible.

Though this solution for a green festival may not be available to the public ahead of the upcoming Diwali, the one notified by PESO in 2017 is likely to show results this year. PESO had then directed firecracker manufacturers not to put antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic and lead in any form whatsoever in their firecrackers.

The science and technology ministry had early this year asked another of CSIR’s institution — Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI) — to develop cost-effective e-crackers so that more and more people can use this clean alternative.

“We are ready with prototypes which can generate patterns of colours and noise within the prescribed limit. We are now waiting for its production. I hope manufacturers will come forward and opt for this technology to produce e-crackers,” said Santanu Chaudhury, CEERI director.