What are green crackers & how do we identify them?

What are green crackers & how do we identify them?

Subject: Environment

Context-

• As Chandigarh allows the use of green crackers here is how one should identify green crackers and the harmful toxins crackers emit.

What is the difference between green crackers and traditional crackers?

• Both green crackers and traditional crackers cause pollution and people should refrain from using either.
• However, the only difference is that green crackers cause 30 per cent less air pollution as compared to traditional ones.
• Green crackersreduce emissions substantially and absorb dust and don’t contain hazardous elements like barium nitrate.
• Toxic metals in traditional crackers are replaced with less hazardous compounds.
• According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), green crackers are permitted only in cities and towns where air quality is moderate or poor.
• There is reduction in emission of sound as well in green crackers.

How does one identify and differentiate them?

• One should look for green crackers falling only in these three categories– SWAS, SAFAL and STAR: the crackers developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• SWAS is ‘safe water releaser’, which suppresses the dust released by releasing water vapour in the air.
• It does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur and the particulate dust released will reduce approximately by 30 per cent.
• Similarly, STAR is the safe thermite cracker, which does not comprise potassium nitrate and sulphur, emits reduced particulate matter disposal and reduced sound intensity.
• SAFAL is ‘safe minimal aluminium’ which has minimum usage of aluminium, and used magnesium instead.
• It ensures reduction in sound in comparison to traditional crackers.
• If chemical identification cannot be done, the identification of green crackers can be done through the CSIR NEERI logo.
• The scanner may be downloaded using the CSIR NEERI green QR code app from Google Playstore.

Toxic metals that traditional crackers release-

What damage and harm can these chemicals do when a person is exposed?

Why are green crackers being preferred over conventional ones?

Firecrackers made with reduction in size of shell, elimination of ash usage, reduced usage of raw materials, uniform acceptable quality, etc., leading to reduction of particulate matter and gaseous emission is why green crackers are being preferred.