Coming soon: A new generation of plantbased ‘ green crackers’
LOW POLLUTION Government labs have been working to make a new type of fireworks made from ‘alternative’ chemicals
NEW DELHI: After developing a range of ‘green crackers’ by simply changing their chemical balance, Indian scientists have inched closer towards making another range of fireworks which would be based on plant-based products and alternative chemicals to further bring down postDiwali pollution.
The breakthrough started at National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow, a centrally-run science laboratory that works under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. “We have already developed three plant-based products with which we can make fireworks and crackers. They would be equally colourful as the traditional fireworks. When tested in the laboratory, these plant-based fireworks have proved to be 50-60% less polluting than traditional fireworks,” SK Barik, NBRI director, said.
None of these ‘green crackers’ would, however, be available this Diwali as manufacturers are yet to get the mandatory license from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
Hindustan Times had earlier reported that some of the country’s premier science laboratories, working under the CSIR, are ready with functional prototypes of a range of crackers and fireworks that promise up to 40% reduction in emission.
“While scientists from Tamil Nadu-based Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI) have developed ‘flower pots’ that can bring down levels of particulate matter by around 40%. Another team from Nagpurbased National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has developed soundemitting crackers such as ‘bijli’ that emits 30-35% less particulate matter and almost zero sulphur dioxde,” said Rakesh Kumar director of NEERI.
Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday that Indian scientists have been working to create an entire range of fireworks and crackers over the past year to bring down pollution during Diwali without disrupting the ₹6,000-crore industry that supports around five lakh families.
“While some labs like NEERI and CECRI were working on short term goals others like National Chemical Laboratory and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology were working on long-term goals in which new range of crackers and fireworks based on alternative plant-based products and alternative chemicals such as benzoate,” he added.
NEERI scientists have also proposed to set up a facility to test the raw materials used. “Poor quality raw materials used in crackers are the major source of particulate matter pollution. NEERI is working with manufacturers of Sivakashi to strengthen raw material testing too,” said NEERI director Rakesh Kumar. FEBRUARY 12, 2018 Fireworks contain a range of compounds and elements such as aluminum, barium, strontium, lithium and copper. When burnt these trigger pollution, leading to a range of ailments from skin diseases to respiratory troubles. These are fireworks or crackers which cause less pollution than the conventional ones. The Supreme Court on October 23 has banned the use of barium nitrate and aluminum in all firecrackers. The SC has made the sale of “green and improved” fireworks mandatory at least in the NCR. Not yet. While some have already been developed by government laboratories such as the Tamil Nadu-based Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI) and Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), others are still in progress in various government laboratories. It is up to the manufacturers. The government and scientists hope that by next Diwali such crackers could hit the market. The scientists have developed the formula for green crackers. These have been showcased before the manufacturers in Sivakasi. Some of these new types of fireworks have up to 40% less emission levels. Flowerpots developed by CECRI emit 30% less particulate matter. NEERI has developed Bijli firecracker which has 20% less particulate matter emissions. Some of these crackers have zero sulphur dioxide emissions. They have a sound intensity of 105–110 decibels. Components such as barium, aluminum, ash, potassium nitrate and sulphur have been replaced by eco-friendly materials. Aluminum has been replaced with magnesium chips and magnesium based compounds.