The Diwali aftermath of the number of accidents as well as the environment degradation taken into account can make one realize how costly Diwali is for many each year that it passes by. Here is a brief account of this year in our city. According to Times of India, 158 people sustained burns while burning crackers in Chandigarh, 24 in Panchkula and 34 in Mohali. Apart from these injuries sustained mainly by children, it is important to take into consideration the affect on environment which subsequently results in health hazards. Idma Foundation for Sustainable Development conducted real time online monitoring of harmful respirable dust levels (particles of size less than 10 microns that can reach the inner part of the lungs and thus are harmful) in a residential area in city on the eve of Diwali. This is what they stated:

The festival of lights is on the radar of pollution control authorities, NGOs and media due to its pollution causing potential. The bursting of crackers during the festival is primarily responsible for (1) large scale noise pollution (2) increase in concentration of dust. Over last few years due to awareness campaigns including enactment of various pollution control legislation, the public is now aware of the possible damage to environment and health. The bursting of crackers is thus more or less restricted to now one or two days.

The government is further monitoring noise levels and air pollutants during the festival. This monitoring is time weighted average monitoring over 8-hour shifts during the festival and does not provide values of individual high levels of concentration or Short Term Exposure Levels (STEL). It is defined as concentration to which an individual can be exposed for a short period (15 minutes) without irritation or chronic or irreversible damage.

The monitoring has been undertaken on Pre-Diwali 8.11.2007 (9PM-11 PM), 9.11.2007 (7AM-8.30 AM); Diwali Night 9.11.2007 (7.30 PM to 11 PM) and on 10.11.2007 (7AM to 8.30 AM)

The measurements are done using ‘Personal Data RAM’ an aerosol monitor that records concentration of dust of less than 10 microns including fumes. The fume particles as emitted during Diwali from bursting of crackers are less than 1 micron to down to 0.01 micron in size and thus can reach the innermost portion of lungs.

Graph 1 showing Respirable Dust Levels Post Diwali Morning

Graph 2 showing Respirable Dust Levels at Diwali Night

Graph 3 showing Respirable Dust Levels Diwali Day Morning

Graph 4 showing Respirable Dust Levels Pre-Diwali Night

As evident during the bursting of crackers on Diwali night the maximum STEL (15 minutes exposure levels) values reach as high as 1498 microgram per cubic meter (ug/m³) as compared to previous night STEL of 48 ug/m³. The maximum concentration of aerosols has also reached as high as 7943 ug/m³ as compared to 694 ug/m³ previous night.

It is important to understand that fine dust itself may not be a harmful pollutant but its health effects are confounded by co-pollutants. During the bursting of crackers the fine dust is rich in co-pollutants as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, metal dust, organic pollutants.

Another area of concern is that public is somehow getting the impression that it is safe to burst crackers as sparklers (annar), torches (Fuljhari). The people allow small children to use these crackers that these are safe- cause less noise pollution but these generate rich smoke. The small children particularly revolve torches (Fuljharis) within their respiratory zone.

Research shows that with every 50 ug/m³ increase in fine dust levels, one would except to see a 5-25% increase in number of asthma complaints in a normal population.

It is extremely easy to look at the brighter side of Diwali of maintaining our traditions but what is essential to understand here is that Diwali did not start with burning crackers. The original tradition was to celebrate it as a festival of lights and lamps were lit all over to celebrate the occasion.

It’s up to all of us to make that choice in the best interest of ourselves and of people around us.

Source: Dr. R.S. Saini, Executive Director, IFSD (Idma Foundation for Sustainable Development)