Order on firecrackers applies to all states

Context

The Supreme Court has clarified that its ban on barium and other banned chemicals in firecrackers applies to the entire country, not just the National Capital Region.

SC orders on firecrackers

1. In October 2018, the apex court banned the production and sale of all crackers except for green crackers and those with reduced emissions, known as improved crackers. It also:

• banned the manufacture and sale of ‘joined crackers’ (long rows of crackers joined together).
• prohibited the use of barium salts in fireworks.
• said their noise levels should be within permissible limits.

2. In 2020, the National Green Tribunal banned the sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers in NCR.

• Green crackers are only allowed in cities and towns with moderate or poor air quality.

3. In September 2023, the SC junked a plea by the firecracker manufacturers’ association:

• to allow the use of joined crackers.
• to add barium with improved additives in green crackers.

What is a firecracker made of?

1. Ingredients:

• Firecrackers typically consist of four primary ingredients — oxidiser, fuel, colouring agents, and binder.

• An oxidiser is required for the cracker to catch fire.
• the fuel sustains the fire.
• colouring agents give it the colours and sparkles.
• the binder holds this mixture in place till the cracker has spent itself.

2. Colouring agents

 

• Chemicals like barium are colouring agents.
• The ban on certain products was imposed due to their detrimental effects on human health, including respiratory irritation, skin allergies, breathing difficulties, and even cancer.
• Crackers emit white colors due to aluminium, magnesium, and titanium, while orange colors are caused by carbon or iron.
• Yellow agents are sodium compounds, while blue and red agents are copper compounds and strontium carbonates.
• The green agent is either barium mono chloride salts, barium nitrate, or barium chlorate.

Green crackers

1. About:

• The reason green crackers got their moniker is that they don't contain any dangerous substances that could contaminate the air.
• Firecracker parts are changed out for ones that are less hazardous and damaging to the environment.
• These crackers release water vapour, which suppresses dust, along with less toxic compounds.

2. Research done by: A network of CSIR laboratories, including the National Chemical Laboratory, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI), and National Botanical Research Institute, investigated the concept of making green crackers.
3. Categories:

• CSIR has developed three broad categories of crackers: SWAS, SAFAL, and STAR.

• SWAS, or "safe water releaser," is a device that releases a small water pocket in the form of vapour when a cracker is burst, effectively suppressing dust.
• STAR, or safe thermite cracker, emits reduced particulate matter at reduced sound intensity without containing potassium nitrate and sulphur.
• SAFAL is a safe, minimal aluminium cracker with magnesium instead of aluminium, emitting less noise than traditional crackers.

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