In Graphics | Are Green crackers all that they’re cracked up to be?

As Diwali approaches and the pollution levels across India dip – sometimes to alarming levels – the focus is once again on ‘Green crackers’. But what are they? And are they really eco-friendly? Let’s take a close look: They were developed by scientists at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) after the Supreme Court in 2018 banned fireworks due to ever-worsening levels of air pollution. As per Hindustan Times, green crackers,  unlike normal firecrackers, also do not have barium compounds. Barium is a metal oxide that pollutes the air and causes noise. Green crackers are said to be environmentally friendly that let off around 30 per cent less pollution than conventional fireworks. As per The Print, there are three types of green firecrackers: SWAS or safe water releaser — which gives off water vapour and thus stops particles from rising. STAR or safe thermite cracker —  these use low quantities of thermite (a mix of metals and metal oxides like barium) SAFAL or a safe minimal aluminium cracker — which come with aluminium being replaced by magnesium. Green crackers are around 15 to 20 per cent cheaper than the conventional crackers. They also make less noise than conventional firecrackers. Conventional firecrackers when set-off make 160 decibels of noise, while green firecrackers give off around 110 to 125 decibels. You can check if your crackers are genuine through the QR code on the packaging as well as the green logo. The code denotes that NEERI – the sole central agency for firecrackers – has certified that they are from registered fireworks units.

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