Taking a significant step towards combating the escalating air pollution crisis, the Government has introduced green firecrackers. The National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory, has developed these eco-friendly crackers. They are now being produced for various festive purposes in forms including sparklers, flowerpots, maroons, and atom bombs.
The Production and Availability of Green Firecrackers
To ensure widespread availability, CSIR has entered into agreements with approximately 230 companies for the mass production of these environmentally friendly firecrackers. One of the significant advantages is a documented reduction in particulate matter pollution by up to 30% compared to traditional firecrackers, based on CSIR’s assessment. Furthermore, the government has introduced a unique green logo and Quick Response (QR) coding system to differentiate green crackers from regular ones. This QR code feature also helps deter the manufacture and sale of counterfeit products.
The Supreme Court’s Role in Promoting Green Firecrackers
The Supreme Court, recognizing the dramatic role firecrackers played in increasing pollution levels, ruled in October 2018 that non-‘green’ crackers were no longer legal. The ruling implied that crackers exceeding certain noise limits, unapproved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), and containing harmful elements such as mercury, arsenic, and barium were banned. However, the market was devoid of compliant alternatives at that moment. After receiving a green signal from CSIR about successful trial samples tested and approved by PESO, the Supreme Court, in May 2019, allowed the bulk manufacture of green crackers.
Development Approach of Green Firecrackers
The development of green firecrackers adopted by CSIR followed a dual-track approach. One was aimed at enhancing traditional crackers by cutting down the level of Barium Nitrate. Simultaneously, the other pathway strived to substitute harmful Barium Nitrate with the safer alternative of Potassium Nitrate. The Supreme Court is anticipated to make a final decision on “improved crackers”, characterized by lower levels of Barium Nitrate, on 22nd October 2019.
About Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
PESO operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industries. Established in 1898, PESO functions as an essential agency responsible for regulating the safety protocols for substances such as explosives, compressed gases, and petroleum. Its primary office is located in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| PESO Establishment | 1898 |
| Location | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| Main Function | Regulating safety of substances like explosives, compressed gases, and petroleum |
About the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI)
The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous body under the umbrella of the Ministry of Science & Technology, comprises 38 national laboratories working in various fields of science and technology. Among these, one is the CSIR-NEERI, instrumental in developing the green firecrackers.
