Archive for the 'Air' Category
Recent Statistics on Diwali
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
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 (
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.
Harmful Effects of Crackers & Fireworks
i) The SPM (suspended particulate matter) levels rise to a large extent during Diwali.
- It can cause throat, nose & eye related problems which can later develop into adverse health hazards.
- It can lead to headaches & reduced mental acuity when it reaches the level of 100 ppm.
- It has much more severe effects in people with heart, respiratory or nervous system disorders.
- It can aggravate problem for people suffering from cold, allergies or coughs and can also cause congestion of throat & chest.
ii) Increase amount of noise has harmful effects on animals as well as humans. Standard decibel level for humans is 60 dB.
Increase in the decibel level can lead to:
- Restlessness
- Temporary or Permanent Hearing Loss
- Fidgetiness
- High Blood Pressure
- Anger
- Heart Attack
- Sleep Disturbance
- Impulsiveness
- Can lead to withdrawal behaviour or hyperactivity in pregnant women, children & those suffering from respiratory problems.
iii) Fireworks can also cause health problems like:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Common Cold
- Allergic Bronchitis
- Bronchial Asthma
- Sinusitis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)
- Ephysema
- Rhinitis
- Pneumonia
- Laryngitis
iv) It results in smog which can reduce visibility thereby leading to accidents as well as is toxic if inhaled.
- It is said that one big firecracker like “1000 walas” and “hydrogen bombs” can produce up to 250 cc of smoke.
- It can also cause water contamination and acid rains.
- It results in air pollution that creates carcinogenic sulphur compounds and airborne arsenic effect.
v) Use of “rockets” near houses gives rise to many injuries each year. There is no law pertaining to the same.
vi) Harmful effects of fireworks displays:
- Green light produced in fireworks displays comes from Barium that is radioactive and poisonous.
- Blue colour produced from copper compounds comes from dioxins linked to cancer.
- Different effects are produced by using different chemicals that are linked to a host of health and respiratory problems as mentioned in table below.
vii) Harmful effects of various chemicals & substances contained in crackers & fireworks are as mentioned in the table below:
Harmful effects of Chemicals & Substances contained in Crackers & Fireworks
| S.No. | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cadmium (in crackers, pots (anars), wires) | If cadmium is inhaled, ingested or enters the body through intravenous, intraperitoneal or intra-muscular routes, it can lead to anaemia and can even damage kidneys, increase blood pressure and can cause a disease called “Itai-Itai” that can make bones brittle leading to fractures. It is also a potential human carcinogen. |
| 2. | Lead | Highly toxic fumes are emitted when lead is heated. Lead can be really poisonous causing irritation, affect the central nervous system, cause lung cancer and kidneys cancer. It may act as a metabolic poison & enzyme inhibitor in its inorganic form. Lead exposure can also cause mental retardation and temporary damage to brain in young children. |
| 3. | Magnesium (found in higher quantity than other metals) | Ingestion of Magnesium can be poisonous. Inhalation of magnesium dust & fumes can cause metal fume fever & deterioration of central nervous system. Particles can produce gas blebs and gas gangrene when embedded in the skin. |
| 4. | 4 acidic radicals: Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Sulphate | Oxides of sulphur & phosphorous are extremely corrosive & acidic. |
| 5. | Carbon Monoxide | It is an extremely poisonous gas. Being odorless it can’t be detected by sensory system. It combines readily with oxygen & even low level of concentration can have ill effects on health. |
| 6. | Copper | It can lead to irritation in respiratory tract if inhaled. |
| 7. | Manganese | Manganese dust and fumes can be toxic for humans. It is an experimental mutagen and carcinogen. The exposure to manganese has symptoms of sleepiness, paralysis, weakness, emotional disturbance, sleep disturbance, languor, spastic gait etc. |
| 8. | Potassium | It can lead to a fire or explosion if confined. |
| 9. | Sodium | It can lead to fire when exposed to moisture & heat. It is highly reactive with moisture in its elemental form & can have an adverse affect on the living tissue. If it is heated in air, it produces toxic fumes of sodium oxide. |
| 10. | Zinc | It is not so toxic if inhaled, but can cause skin irritation, effect pulmonary system & stimulates vomiting at an exposure of about 150mg of zinc. It also produces fumes on burning. |
| 11. | Nitrogen Oxide | Oxides of nitrogen are extremely corrosive & acidic. Being less soluble it penetrates into lungs through smaller airways. They reduce intake of oxygen by destroying the linings of respiratory surface causing allergies, asthma etc. |
References:
India Together
Toxics Link
Wikipedia
Thestar.com
http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/toxicfireworks.htm
http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/law.htm
http://www.fireworks.com/fireworks_laws/
http://www.lycos.com/info/fireworks-pyrotechnic–united-states.html Read more
Chandigarh & Air Pollution
No doubt that Chandigarh has a large percentage of area under green cover, but yet there are few other issues which we need to deal with before things go out of hand. One such is the rising air pollution in our city owing to various reasons like:
Air Pollution & Fireworks Industry in India: An Overview
Areas where crackers are made:
Areas where cracker production takes place in India are: Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Chennai. Sivakasi, a backward district of Virdhunagar accounts for 80 to 90% of fireworks production in India & the trade volume runs to about Rs.700 crore per annum.
Cracker Production:
• Everyday, more than 50000 to 1,00,000 kids, as old as 8 years of age, work with the dangerous chemicals and substances to make fireworks and matches to be shipped across the country falling prey to numerous health hazards.
• Sivakasi is reported to have the highest concentration of child labourers in the world.
• These kids start their day 3 am to 5 am in the morning and get back by 6 pm to 9 pm.
• These kids dye the outer paper, stick labels, dip materials in hot chemicals, roll gun powder, make crackers & fireworks & pack the final product for more than 10 hours a day.
• Most of these units pay on piece rate basis and children earn only 50% of what is earned by adults.
• All workers are exposed to airborne concentrations of hazardous substances like sulphur, nitrates, potash etc. that leads to disorders of liver, kidney, skin and eyes.
• With no proper training or protective gear, bad working conditions; accidents and blasts in these units are frequent.
• Some people refer to them as “human bombs” as any day could be their last days.
• Despite anti-firecracker and child labour eradication campaigns & the directive of Supreme Court there has only been a little fall in demand.
• Illegal manufacturing units mushroom during the festival season, where children are still hired.
• In 2005, fire in a factory producing crackers in Khusrupur injured about 10000 children and killed many. Most of the kids were in the age group 8 to 16 years. This is only one just incident out of many that occur each year.
Laws in India regarding cracker production, sale and use:
i) Central Pollution Control Board of India has banned firecrackers with more than 125 decibel level at a distance of 4 meters from point of bursting. It also prohibits selling crackers in silence zones like courts, hospitals, religious places and educational institutions.
ii) The Supreme Court of India observed that “the right to peaceful sleep is a fundamental right of the citizens”, hence it has banned crackers between 10pm to 6am during the festival seasons and has also passed orders seeking adherence to anti-noise pollution norms for firecrackers.
iii) The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) amended “noise pollution” defined in the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. It also banned the manufacture, sale and use of fire-crackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB (AL) or 145 dB (C) notified in October 1999. But the amendment remains unimplemented till now.
iv) Police authorities have been authorized to enforce rules regarding noise pollution.
v) Certain cities like Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai have taken cognizance of fire crackers menace and have been issuing orders to prohibit crackers violating decibel limits and other measures.
vi) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) - National Physical Laboratory conducted a study which estimates that 95% of crackers violate noise and pollution norms.
vii) DK Biswas, former chairman, Central Pollution Control Board says, “Unless noise pollution standards are enforced at the place of manufacture, it is impossible to regulate them”. The Controller of Explosives have been directed to limit licenses for fire crackers.
Laws in other countries regarding cracker production, sale and use:
Many countries have effective laws to deal with problems created by fireworks and crackers. Pyrotechnic firework displays have been an easy alternative for many but environmental effects of the same are manifold still. There have been suggestions of using laser light displays in order to do away with such pollution causing displays.
It is popular to watch firework displays in many countries. But there are special firework legislations governing them as they are explosive and burn at high temperature. Thereby, they require careful handling, possession, storage and sale.
US: Owing to the environmental effects of using fireworks like the chemicals causing water contamination, acid rain, air pollution etc. US restricts the use of fireworks as per the Clean Air Act. There are specific state laws that regulate the fireworks usage.
New York Fireworks Laws: There are no specifically permitted consumer fireworks whereas firecrackers, bombs, sparklers, skyrockets, torpedoes etc. are specifically prohibited consumer fireworks.
Even for display fireworks there are strict operation licenses, display permits and insurance that needs to be taken in order to carry them out.
Apart from that safe manufacture, storage areas, transportation laws are specified in their state law.
Washington D.C., Fireworks Laws: Specifically permitted consumer fireworks include: cones, sparklers (having length less than 20”), colored lights, torches etc. Specifically prohibited fireworks include: firecrackers or any other fireworks that can explode like cherry bombs, floral shells, artillery shells etc. Or the person needs to move after the cracker has been lit up like bottle rockets, pinwheels, parachutes etc.
Even for display fireworks there are strict operation licenses, display permits and insurance that needs to be taken in order to carry them out.
Apart from that safe manufacture, storage areas, transportation laws are specified in their state law.
UK Penalties: In UK, it is an offence to throw or set off fireworks in any street, highway or public place. There are huge penalties and fines for the same. According to the Fireworks Act 2003, it is also an offence to possess fireworks in public place & for anyone to set off fireworks during night time between 11pm to 7 am.
References:
India Together
Toxics Link
Wikipedia
Thestar.com
http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/toxicfireworks.htm
http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/law.htm
http://www.fireworks.com/fireworks_laws/
http://www.lycos.com/info/fireworks-pyrotechnic–united-states.html
