Implement pollution board noise norms: Activist

Noise pollution activists in the city have urged the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) that the norms laid down by Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) be implemented for firecrackers. A letter written by Sumaira Abdulali, who runs Awaaz Foundation, was sent to Jayanthi Natarajan, minister of MoEF and Ajay Tyagi, chairman of CPCB.

“We feel that the parameters set by the CPCB should be considered while allowing sale of firecrackers. The norms for noise pollution recommended by a committee set up by the Central Pollution Control Board on noise pollution are listed under the section ‘guidelines’ on the MoEF website. Mumbai is already one of the noisiest city in the world and the guidelines should be adopted by the MoEF,” said Abdulali.

As per the current rules set up by MoEF, noise norms for crackers stand at 125 dB. When a recent test was conducted on noise pollution with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials, most of the crackers were seen to be violating the norms.

Quoting the recommendations suggested by the committee, she said: “Manufacture and sale of crackers having an impulsive noise of more than 90 dB at 5 metre distance from the site of bursting should be banned. Manufacture and bursting of joined crackers should be banned.

Bursting of crackers between 9pm and 6am should be banned.
 Bursting of crackers may be permitted only during public festivals.”

The letter goes on to seek the support of the MoEF to implement the rules as it would help reduce noise levels. “By accepting the recommendations of the committee set up for noise pollution and notifying it as law in the public interest, the MoEF can help citizens in reducing noise pollution,” adds the letter.