Effects of Fireworks in Diwali

Effects of Diwali on Environment

Due to large scale of bursting firecrackers during this festival it releases harmful gases and toxic substances into the atmosphere, loud noises from loudspeakers and firecrackers, dry waste causing health problems for children, patients and senior citizens. They also cause Burns, deafness, Nausea and mental impairment. Many people die in explosions in factories which manufactures firecrackers.

From Darkness to Light or from light to Darkness

Diwali is called as festival of lights. It is very widely celebrated festival in India. Usually Diwali festival falls between October-November of Gregorian calendar. It has been celebrated from ancient time as mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata mythologies.

Diwali Celebration (from Darkness to Light)

Effects of Fireworks in Diwali

It is celebrated by cleaning and decorating homes, visiting relatives and exchanging gifts, Sweets etc. It is believed that Buying gold in Diwali is a good sign. Many people do pooja in these days in their homes. Roads and homes are lighted /decorated by oil lamps and festive lights.
And most importantly fireworks are set off by children for celebrations. The commonly used types of fireworks in celebrations are Rockets, Roman Candles, Sparkles, and Wheels etc.

Effects of Fireworks on Environment (from light to darkness)

Air Pollution

On this auspicious occasion unknowingly harmful gases and toxic substances released to environment by bursting fireworks such as Barium, Cadmium, Sodium, Mercury, Nitrate and Nitrite. These are called as Air pollutants. Also RSPM level goes high as small particles emitted by bursting of fireworks. RSPM means Respirable Suspended Particulate Material. Also need of electricity goes high in this period. To overcome shortage of electricity majorly electricity generated by using diesel, Coal etc. that also causes air pollution.

Read more how to reduce particulate matter to reduce pollution

Noise Pollution

Bursting of fireworks not only causes air pollution but also Noise pollution. Also because of happiest festival many people use loudspeakers, loud musical instruments and advertisements that causes noise pollution. Level of noise level can go beyond 125 dB which is as loud as Military jet aircraft take-off, whereas government limits Noise level at 55dB in daytime and 45dB at night for residential area. These type of noises are very harmful for new-born babies.

Read here how Noise or sound level is monitored ?

Dry Waste

With happiness it also brings Dry waste like papers, plastics, firework covers. Massive amount of non-degradable dry waste generated in Diwali celebration. It causes Soil pollution as less space for dumping ground in major cities.

Health effects of Fireworks

In these five days Fireworks are handled by kids and due to their poisonous nature many children fall ill. Poisonous gases may cause fever, Skin irritation, vomiting, Effects of Fireworks on lungs, insomnia, heart, asthma and bronchitis. Also many children face accidents due to mishandling of fireworks and it causes burning, cutting. Also it has been observed that mortality and morbidity rate increased in Diwali period because of SPM, RSPM and other harmful gases released in environment.

Loud noise of fireworks causes Temporary deafness, permanent Eardrum rupture, trauma and hypertension.

Learn Why and how Noise Impact Assessment is required for New or existing projects?

Other effects of Fireworks

Also these fireworks made by people and children are exposed to poisonous metals like lead, mercury, Nitrate and Nitrite. Due to this they face health issues and die in early stage of their lives. Also due to high demand of fireworks small kids are also work for 12 hrs in a day for fireworks companies before Diwali.

Alternate ways to celebrate Diwali

We should think twice before buying fireworks in Diwali. Is this the only way to celebrate Diwali? Instead of spending too much on fireworks and considering effects of fireworks on health and environment we can buy gifts, books, gadgets or cloths which are less harmful for nature as compared to firecrackers. We can donate books or clothes for poor students. Also can conduct various competitions on environmental awareness.

Pollution free firecrackers are available but they are very costly and can’t fulfil the demand. In U.S. after studying effects of it on human health they have shifted to laser shows instead of using traditional firecrackers .

From darkness to light or from light to darkness

Before using fireworks we should ask ourselves that are we actually going from darkness to light by using them or from light to darkness?

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