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Explainer: What are green crackers and are they really pollution-free?

Bursting crackers isn't permittable this Diwali season unless they fall under the 'green' umbrella. Here is everything you need to know about the less-polluting hybrid variety of crackers that have been certified as a lesser evil when it comes to polluting the atmosphere.
Bursting crackers isn't permittable this Diwali season unless they fall under the 'green' umbrella. Here is everything you need to know about the less-polluting hybrid variety of crackers that have been certified as a lesser evil when it comes to polluting the atmosphere. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)
Bursting crackers isn't permittable this Diwali season unless they fall under the 'green' umbrella. Here is everything you need to know about the less-polluting hybrid variety of crackers that have been certified as a lesser evil when it comes to polluting the atmosphere. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)
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HOW DO CRACKERS CAUSE POLLUTION: When crackers are burst, dangerous toxins, particles and other chemical components are released into the atmosphere, which remains suspended in the air for many hours. These effluents can further increase the risk of air pollution in the presence of fog as they trap the particles for longer hours. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)
HOW DO CRACKERS CAUSE POLLUTION: When crackers are burst, dangerous toxins, particles and other chemical components are released into the atmosphere, which remains suspended in the air for many hours. These effluents can further increase the risk of air pollution in the presence of fog as they trap the particles for longer hours. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)
WHAT IS PARTICULATE MATTER?: PM or Particulate Matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. According to US EPA website, most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. (File Photo)
WHAT IS PARTICULATE MATTER?: PM or Particulate Matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. According to US EPA website, most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. (File Photo)
WHAT ARE GREEN CRACKERS?: Developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), green crackers emits pollutants at a 30% lesser rate than their conventional counterparts. (Photo | EPS)
WHAT ARE GREEN CRACKERS?: Developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), green crackers emits pollutants at a 30% lesser rate than their conventional counterparts. (Photo | EPS)
Green crackers are made using less polluting raw materials. Their chemical formulation ensures reduced particle emission into the atmosphere by suppressing the dust produced. (Photo | KK Sundar, EPS)
Green crackers are made using less polluting raw materials. Their chemical formulation ensures reduced particle emission into the atmosphere by suppressing the dust produced. (Photo | KK Sundar, EPS)
While regular crackers emit about 160 decibels of sound, green crackers' emission rate is limited to 110-125 decibels. (Photo | KK Sundar, EPS)
While regular crackers emit about 160 decibels of sound, green crackers' emission rate is limited to 110-125 decibels. (Photo | KK Sundar, EPS)
Components used to produce oxygen to help the crackers explode are called oxidisers. Often used oxidisers in the firecracker industry like potassium nitrate or barium nitrate are polluting in nature. Hence, the Supreme Court has ruled that manufactures can't use the mentioned oxidisers for production if they wish to claim the green tag. (Photo | PTI)
Components used to produce oxygen to help the crackers explode are called oxidisers. Often used oxidisers in the firecracker industry like potassium nitrate or barium nitrate are polluting in nature. Hence, the Supreme Court has ruled that manufactures can't use the mentioned oxidisers for production if they wish to claim the green tag. (Photo | PTI)
The use of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead, barium oxides and potassium oxides in any form is also banned by the apex court. (Photo | EPS)
The use of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead, barium oxides and potassium oxides in any form is also banned by the apex court. (Photo | EPS)
WHO CAN MAKE GREEN CRACKERS: Manufacturers need to sign a deal with the CSIR in order to make fireworks using the green cracker formulation. On Feb 2020, as many 212 firms around the country have signed non-disclosure agreements for the formulation for making green crackers. (Photo | EPS)
WHO CAN MAKE GREEN CRACKERS: Manufacturers need to sign a deal with the CSIR in order to make fireworks using the green cracker formulation. On Feb 2020, as many 212 firms around the country have signed non-disclosure agreements for the formulation for making green crackers. (Photo | EPS)
There are three types of green crackers available in India - SWAS, STAR and SAFAL. (Photo | Manu R Mavelil, EPS)
There are three types of green crackers available in India - SWAS, STAR and SAFAL. (Photo | Manu R Mavelil, EPS)
Safe Water Releasers (SWAS): A formulation of crackers that emit water vapour while exploding and thereby dilutes the dust particles. SWAS crackers are made without using sulphur or potassium nitrate to avoid the emission of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. This variety of crackers boast a 30-35% reduced particulate matter. (Photo | Debadatta Mallick, EPS)
Safe Water Releasers (SWAS): A formulation of crackers that emit water vapour while exploding and thereby dilutes the dust particles. SWAS crackers are made without using sulphur or potassium nitrate to avoid the emission of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. This variety of crackers boast a 30-35% reduced particulate matter. (Photo | Debadatta Mallick, EPS)
Safe Thermite Crackers (STAR): As the name indicates, the secret of the STAR variety is lowered Thermite usage and thus bring down emission of particles into the atmosphere. Used as fuel in conventional crackers, Thermite, when ignited, produces enormous amounts of heat due to chemical reaction of aluminium with the oxygen of the oxide. (File Photo)
Safe Thermite Crackers (STAR): As the name indicates, the secret of the STAR variety is lowered Thermite usage and thus bring down emission of particles into the atmosphere. Used as fuel in conventional crackers, Thermite, when ignited, produces enormous amounts of heat due to chemical reaction of aluminium with the oxygen of the oxide. (File Photo)
Safe Thermite Crackers (STAR): As the name indicates, the secret of the STAR variety is lowered Thermite usage and thus bring down emission of particles into the atmosphere. Used as fuel in conventional crackers, Thermite, when ignited, produces enormous amounts of heat due to chemical reaction of aluminium with the oxygen of the oxide. (Photo | AP)
Safe Thermite Crackers (STAR): As the name indicates, the secret of the STAR variety is lowered Thermite usage and thus bring down emission of particles into the atmosphere. Used as fuel in conventional crackers, Thermite, when ignited, produces enormous amounts of heat due to chemical reaction of aluminium with the oxygen of the oxide. (Photo | AP)
ARE THEY REALLY HELPFUL? Among experts, there aren't many takers for green crackers as a remedy to air pollution. While they reduce the release of harmful gas and particles, it is nowhere near the relief an absolute ban can bring to nature. Despite the reduced release, the bursting of green crackers also constitutes to air and noise pollution. (Photo | P Jawahar, EPS)
ARE THEY REALLY HELPFUL? Among experts, there aren't many takers for green crackers as a remedy to air pollution. While they reduce the release of harmful gas and particles, it is nowhere near the relief an absolute ban can bring to nature. Despite the reduced release, the bursting of green crackers also constitutes to air and noise pollution. (Photo | P Jawahar, EPS)
Pollution
crackers
Noise Pollution
Air pollution
Diwali 2020
Green crackers
firecracker ban

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