Green crackers are not pollution-free, says report
Certified green fireworks reduce emissions but still release pollutants during combustion, according to details from Firstpost.
Green crackers release fewer pollutants than traditional fireworks but do not eliminate air pollution entirely, according to a report by Firstpost. While these products are designed to lower particulate matter and gaseous emissions, they still involve combustion that releases pollutants and ultrafine particles into the air.
The Supreme Court has permitted the use of certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days, November 7 and 8. During this period, residents may only burst them between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm. A complete ban on firecrackers will return on November 9.
Developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and coordinated by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), green crackers must meet specific standards. They must produce at least 30 per cent less particulate matter than conventional versions, or achieve a 20 per cent reduction in particulate matter alongside a 10 per cent reduction in gaseous emissions.
Three specific formulations have been developed: SWAS, which uses water-releasing material; SAFAL, which reduces aluminium use; and STAR, which uses iron oxide. Despite these improvements, large-scale use can still add significant pollution to the atmosphere.
To identify genuine products, buyers should look for CSIR-NEERI approval and certification from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). Although QR codes were introduced for verification, NEERI scientist R J Krupadam from Kolkata stated the mechanism was discontinued because codes were being copied.