Shift to green crackers to check pollution, says PCBA

GUWAHATI: A day ahead of Diwali festivities, the pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA), has urged the citizens of the state to shift from traditional to green crackers in a bid to reduce air pollution by almost 30%.
Pollution Control Board, Assam, said the crackers approved by the CSIR-NEERI are considered green and one must ensure they buy such crackers.
Monoj Saikia, additional chief environment scientist, told TOI, “Complying with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, we urge the public to use green crackers. General crackers are harmful for humans as it is made of gun powder, also known as black powder, with chemicals contents like charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate. In addition, crackers also contain aluminum perchlorate or barium nitrate, zinc and magnesium dust to create bright, shimmering sparks. These metals are highly toxic which can lead to health issues like kidney disorder, neurological disorders, digestive problems, heart burn and emotional instability.”
Saikia also stated that burning of traditional crackers leads to three types of pollution — light, sound and chemical — during Diwali . PCBA officials shall carry out inspection and monitoring on commercial fire crackers to stop the use of such crackers at source. Further, noise level monitoring at different cities and towns in the state will be carried out on October 24 and 25.