Green crackers

·       ‘Green crackers’ are low-emission fireworks

·       Green crackers are developed using a chemical formula that makes them less harmful for the environment than the conventional ones.

·       In the green crackers, the usual polluting chemicals such as Aluminum, Barium, Potassium, Nitrate and Carbon are either cut down to reduce emissions by about 30 per cent or completely removed.

·       These crackers have been developed by CSIR’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).

·       Researchers are also trying to contain the sound levels to less than 120 decibels. 

 

Need of green crackers

·       With concern over pollution in major cities growing, there was a demand for a ban on firecrackers.

·       Legal battles to this end have been going on for about a decade now, though the movement has intensified in the last couple years.

·       A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of three infants in 2015 by their fathers asking for a complete ban.

·       With air pollution level going up 29 times above the World Health Organisation standards in November 2016, the Court suspended the sale of fireworks in the NCR, affecting 50 per cent of the total crackers sold in the country.

·       The Court also asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and some others to conduct a study on the impact of bursting fireworks during Dussehra and Diwali on the health of the people.

 

Types of green crackers 

There are three types of green crackers available in India - SWAS, STAR and SAFAL.

·       SWAS - Safe Water Releaser

Ø  They will release water vapour in the air which will suppress the dust released

Ø  It will not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur

Ø  A diluent will be released for gaseous emissions

Ø  The particulate dust released will reduce by approximately 30 percent

·       STAR – Safe Thermite Cracker

Ø  Does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur

Ø  Reduced particulate matter disposal

Ø  Reduced sound intensity

·       SAFAL - Safe Minimal Aluminium

Ø  Minimum usage of aluminium

Ø  Usage of magnesium instead of aluminium

Ø  Reduction in sound in comparison to traditional crackers

 

Difference between Traditional & Green Crackers

·       Composition of Green Crackers - They do not comprise barium nitrate which is one of the most hazardous elements present in any regular cracker

·       Composition of Regular Crackers - A traditional firecracker comprises of six key elements:

Ø  Fuel: Mainly Charcoal or Thermite are present in them all. Fuel loses electrons to atoms within the oxidiser thereby reduces the oxidiser and releases atoms from the oxidiser. During this process, bonds are formed between the oxygen and the fuel and form a stable product. Also, a minimal amount of energy is required to start the combustion of this fuel. After, the combustion massive energy is released, the solid mixture liquidifies and vaporises into the flame of ignition.

Ø  Oxidising Agents: The oxidising agent produces the oxygen needed for the mixture inside the firework to burn. Examples: nitrates, chlorates or perchlorates.

Ø  Reducing Agents: Reducing agent burn the oxygen provided by the oxidising agents to produce hot gases. Examples: Sulphur and Charcoal. By mixing both the reducing agents speed of the reaction can be controlled.

Ø  Regulators: To ensure the speed and intensity with which a cracker burst

Ø  Colouring Agents: Multiple colours appear when a cracker bursts, this role is played by the colouring agents.

Ø  Binders: They are used to hold the mixture of the firework in the form of a paste-like mixture. Example: dextrin. It is a type of starch which holds the composition together.

 

What gives colour to the firecrackers?

·       Red: Strontium salts (Nitrates, carbonates and sulphates of strontium).

·       Orange: Calcium salts (Carbonates, chlorides and sulphates of calcium).

·       Yellow: Sodium salts (Nitrates and oxalates of sodium).

·       Green: Barium salts (Nitrates, carbonates, chlorides and chlorates of barium).

·       Blue: Copper salts (Carbonates and oxides of copper).

·       Purple: A combination of copper and strontium compounds.

·       White: The burning of metals like magnesium, aluminium and titanium).

 

How firecrackers are harmful?

·       Firecrackers can cause severe effects in the health of people like heart diseases, respiratory or nervous system disorders. Even the people suffering from common cold and coughs can cause congestion of throat and chest. Noise pollution causes restlessness, temporary or permanent hearing loss, high blood pressure; sleep disturbance and even poor cognitive development in kids. Firecrackers contain chemicals and substances like cadmium, lead, chromium, aluminium, magnesium, nitrates, carbon monoxide, copper, potassium, sodium, zinc oxide, manganese dioxide etc. which if accumulated can eventually damage health if inhaled or ingested.

Advantages of green crackers

·       It has been observed that every year the quality of air has been declining and what may seem like fog during the winters is actually smog (smoke+fog). Thus, the introduction of these Green Crackers in India will majorly affect the quality of air in a positive manner. 

·       It must also be noted that over the years many accidents have come up where children and adults have died due to firecracker incidents. With green cracker manufacturing, such accidents may also reduce. 

·       Pollute less as particulate matter reduced by 30-35%

·       Release water vapor and /or air as a dust suppressant.

·       Release diluent for gaseous emissions.

·       At par with conventional crackers in terms of light and sound.

·       Do not leave ash.

Disadvantages 

·       But the biggest disadvantages of green crackers is that only the manufacturers who have signed a deal with CSIR will be allowed to manufacture these crackers. All the other industries which produce the traditional type of crackers may be left unemployed. No small manufacturing unit will be allowed to produce green crackers. 

·       The components and elements required for creating a green cracker may not be available for everyone which may also be a reason for many manufacturers to opt for this job.