Law stays silent as firecrackers deafen

“If the government really wants to ban firecrackers then why did they spend so much on them during the Commonwealth Games?” asks Abdulla Ghia, the owner of one of the biggest shops selling firecrackers on Mohammed Ali Road, Essabhai firework Pvt Ltd.

Diwali, the nosiest and brightest among the numerous festivals of India, is around the corner. And come the festive season, people make a beeline for the stores that sell the ever-popular firecrackers.

But this year, the state government has called for eco-friendly celebrations, and if the pollution board has its way then firecrackers that produce noise in excess of 65 decibels (db) might be banned soon.

From sutli bomb to rockets, the demand for firecrackers increases manifold during the festive season. However, doctors, environmentalists and noise activists have been shouting at the top of their lungs to create awareness about the harmful chemicals they consist of, but not many people are paying attention.

Aditya Naik, a fourth-year BE student, doesn’t mind spending thousands of rupees on crackers. “Diwali is license to celebrate throughout the night with friends. It’s not that we don’t know about its side-effects, but it comes once a year, so it’s okay,” says Naik.
Rupa Rao, a psychologist, feels that we are a selfish society and don’t really care about how are actions can affect others. However, over the years, there has been a change. “People who suffer from anxiety don’t need an excuse, but loud noises during Diwali can trigger an attack.”

The city has many who fear loud noises and get affected by it — children are on top of this list. These people have an option of going out of the city during the festive season; however, if one is unable to do so, one can close the windows and stay indoors. 
Rupesh Lalwani (name changed on request), a resident of Chembur, was hospitalised for four days after a panic attack due to the loud sounds during Diwali last year. He was depressed and the loud noises added to this anxiety. 

Apart from the noise level, the activists want people to be aware of the chemical components of fireworks and the date of manufacture as well. Most crackers sold don’t have either. The Supreme Court, in 2005, had not only banned the use of loudspeakers and sound-producing firecrackers after 10.00pm, but had also ordered that only firecrackers which produce sounds less than 125 decibels should be manufactured.

The firecracker manufacturing companies either don’t print it or just print the ‘best before’ date. And instead of components, a warning is prescribed stating ‘Do not hold it in hand’ or ‘keep away from children’. Although, there a few who do print all the required details on the box.

Pritesh Shah, owner of a firecracker shop in Malad, says, “None of our customers check the date of manufacture. They are just interested in the crackers — the noisy as well as the light emitting ones.”

Shops like Elite Fireworks,  in Mohammed Ali Road, and My Toys and Crackers, in Ghatkopar, have have been around for decades and cater to people from various backgrounds. “The rich want crackers which are high on display, whereas the poor want the noisy ones as they are cheaper,” says one of the workers.

The amount of money spent on crackers is a matter of prestige for many. Debi Goenka, an environmentalist, says, “Instead of gloating, people should be ashamed. Festivals, especially Diwali, have significance. They are more than just a license to pollute the environment.”

Expert views

Most injuries occur among preschool children

The incidence of firecracker-related eye injuries rises dramatically during Diwali because of the many new and unfamiliar firecrackers that enter the market every year. This has turned the beautiful festival of lights into a nightmare for some families.

While enjoying the joyous moments of Diwali, most people tend to overlook some important things that may prove fatal for their health. Bright fireworks and zooming rockets may well prove to be hazardous if not handled carefully. Most of these injuries occur among preschool-age children. Adults often do not supervise children, and this can be very risky. The victims of these injuries are primarily onlookers or bystanders.

The injured usually complain about vision problems, redness, watering or inability to open the eye. Serious eye injuries can lead to cataract, retinal edema, retinal detachment, infection or total disfigurement of the eye. It can also lead to serious vision problems or loss of vision. We also get a lot of cases of burns and infections due to firecrackers.

Other than that, the harmful gases and the pollution caused by bursting firecrackers cause redness in the eyes, which leads to dry eye, itchiness, etc. Some precautionary measures that people should follow are:

Wear protective glasses; keep a safe distance while burning crackers; use lubricating eye drops; and do not rub your eyes harshly. Also, one should keep the firecrackers in a closed box. Children should burn crackers only under the supervision of adults and in case of burns must wash their eyes thoroughly.
—Dr Vaishal Kenia, chairman, Kenia Eye Hospital

Good start, but too late for proper implementation

On one hand the state government wants a ban on firecrackers that exceed 65 decibels (db) to minimise the impact on the environment, but at the same time the Supreme Court has allowed companies to manufacture crackers with noise levels of up to 125 db. The firecrackers are already available in the market so it would be difficult for the authorities to implement it.

The limit (65db) set by the government is too low for firecrackers so almost none will fit into the category. Although, the good thing is that the authorities are now conscious and are taking steps to curb noise pollution in the city. The state environment department has already sent out notices prohibiting people from bursting firecrackers on roads. However, we’ll just have to wait and watch if it is effectively implemented.

We conducted a survey in 2008 and found that most crackers don’t have a date of manufacture. If is it so, then one cannot know if they follow the SC order passed in 2005 about the maximum decibel level allowed. Also, many of them don’t even have the chemical composition written on the label.

There is no doubt that people are more conscious about the side-effects of firecrackers and want to go the ‘quieter’ way during festivals, but still the majority don’t care. We must remember that just a few people can disturb the whole neighbourhood. Also, except for few open places, the city isn’t suitable for firecrackers above or of 125db because of space crunch and silence zones. Awareness is the only way we can have safer and quieter festivals; implementation too is important.
—Sumaira Abdulali, founder, Awaaz Foundation

Drink a lot of water to wash out toxins during the festive season

Among the festivals, Diwali is the favourite of many. However, firecrackers are the main culprits for creating problems in breathing, causing headaches and ear-related problems. 
Firecrackers contain various toxic gases and produce lots of sound, which is not good for the ears.

Sound not only scares normal people but aggravates the problem for patients, who have been advised rest. Burning firecrackers is not good as their fumes increase the concentration of  carbon dioxide and other toxic gases in the air, which makes some people develop breathing difficulties.

People or the government should make a conscious effort to reduce the use of firecrackers. Till such measures are enforced, we need to take care of ourselves by taking a few precautions. First of all, people with respiratory problems should try to avoid going to places where crackers are being used. If possible, they should put on a mask. Secondly, you should insert cotton in both ears.

People who use inhalers should take an extra dose for safe breathing. People should drink more water on the day of Diwali as it helps in clearing the toxins that are inhaled by the body. Applying moisturiser helps to avoid skin allergies as dry skin is more prone to burns and allergies.

Eco-friendly firecrackers are the best for celebrating Diwali. People should be prepared for any untoward incidents. If there is any accident or you feel unwell during Diwali, you should immediately consult your doctor.
—Dr Sunita Dube, director, Aryan Group of Hospitals