Diwali 2016: Festival of Light, Not Pollution

Diwali (Deepavali) is an Indian festival celebrated by lighting lamps, distributing sweets and bursting crackers. By tradition, homes are lit with clay lamps, candles, fairy lights, and firecrackers light the sky as people rejoice in the festival. Over the years, the bursting of fire crackers have reached high noise levels and air pollution during Diwali. Let us have a look at the various toxic chemicals, increasing levels of pollution and the methods to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali.

Chemicals in fireworks

Heavy smog hangs low in the air on Diwali night and a few days after that. The levels of sulphur nitrates, magnesium, nitrogen dioxide increase, and these chemicals are injurious to our respiratory passages. Diwali can be potentially fatal to asthamatics.

The various chemicals in fireworks and their effects -

Sulfur dioxide: Causes wheezing and shortness of breath.

Cadmium: Can cause anemia and damage to kidney and also affect the nervous system.

Copper: Irritates respiratory tract

Lead: Affects the nervous system

Magnesium: Can cause metal fume fever

Nitrate: Can cause mental impairment

Nitrite: Can cause skin problems, eye irritation, and respiratory problems in children.

Increasing pollution on Diwali

Unfortunately, every year, the quantum of air and noise pollution caused due to the bursting of firecrackers increases on Diwali. Firecrackers release pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide etc in the air, which causes ailments like asthma and bronchitis. Last year, the air pollution levels had raised than any other years in past. The 2013 Diwali witnessed, the respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) levels at 236.2 microgram per cubic metre during Diwali; while the SOx (oxides of Sulphur) levels of 48.7 microgram per cubic meter during the festival. The NOx (oxides of Nitrogen) 35.3 microgram after the festival.

Celebrate eco-friendly Diwali

Lets us celebrate eco-friendly Diwali this year and save the environment from pollution. Diwali not only marks bursting cracker, but the glittering lights, boxes of sweets, freshly painted homes, exchange of gifts, family reunions. 
SAY NO TO CRACKERS

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