More light, less sound
- November 7, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
More light, less sound
Subject :Environment
Section: Pollution
Context:
- The ‘festival of lights’ should not be allowed to deteriorate into a celebration of noise. Fireworks are traditionally associated with joyful festivities worldwide, but many of them are harmful, often excessively loud, and emit harmful fumes when ignited.
Initiatives to combat Noise Pollution
- In 2018, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research introduced “green” fireworks that are less harmful and less noisy, and their usage has been mandated by various regulatory bodies.
- The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules of 2000 specify that fireworks should not be ignited in “silence zones” designated by state governments and not after 10 p.m. Firecracker noise during the daytime (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and in industrial areas should not exceed 75 dB(A) Leq.
- The noise limits in commercial and residential areas are 65 dB(A) Leq and 55 dB(A) Leq, respectively. In these limits, dB represents decibels, A is a weighting scale for human perception of loudness, and Leq indicates a time-averaged figure.
- The rules also permit individuals to file a complaint if the noise exceeds these limits by 10 dB(A) Leq during the daytime.
Impact of Noise Pollution:
- Since decibels are a logarithmic unit, a 10 dB increase implies a tenfold rise in acoustic pressure, often reaching a point where the sound becomes harmful.
- Research has established links between loud environments and various health issues such as sleep disorders, tinnitus, stress, anxiety, hearing loss, and cardiac problems.
- Noise levels exceeding 80 dB(A) in offices have been associated with hypertension, while noise levels above 50 dB(A) at night, when the body is unaccustomed to loud sounds, can elevate cortisol levels.
What are green crackers?
- Green Crackers are fireworks that are healthy to the environment and can lessen the air pollution that conventional firecrackers produce.
- The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) created these.
- These green crackers, designed by the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab, contain flower pots, pencils, fireworks, maroons, bombs, and chakkar.
- Green crackers, also known as eco-friendly crackers, are made from alternative raw materials to have a smaller negative impact on the environment and to pose fewer health hazards.
- It has been stated that green crackers are environmentally friendly because they don’t contain aluminum, barium, potassium nitrate, or carbon.
Types of green crackers
(1) SWAS – Safe Water Releaser
- They will discharge water vapour into the atmosphere, which will dampen the discharged dust.
- It won’t contain sulphur or potassium nitrate.
- There will be a release of a diluent for gaseous emissions.
- There will be a 30% reduction in the amount of particle dust emitted.
(2) STAR – Safe Thermite Cracker
- Does not contain sulphur and potassium nitrate.
- Discharge of less particulate matter.
- Lowered noise level.
(3) SAFAL – Safe Minimal Aluminum
- Does not contain sulphur and potassium nitrate.
- Discharge of less particulate matter.
- Lowered noise level as compared to traditional ones.
Conclusion:
- India’s noise problem is a significant public health crisis. To prevent fireworks from exacerbating the situation, governments should prohibit the production of non-compliant fireworks altogether, and cities should enhance public access to noise data and adopt noise reduction targets.