Crackers affected air but didn’t cause major illness, CPCB tells SC

Bursting of firecrackers during Dussehra and Diwali last year led to higher air pollution but did not translate into any significant illness requiring immediate medical attention, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday.

The board, however, said a long-term study would be required to assess long-term health impacts of firecrackers. CPCB’s submission is significant, given the fact that the top court had banned sale of crackers during the festive season.

In its affidavit submitted before the SC, the pollution watchdog said its survey revealed that though there was some increase in cough and breathlessness, there was no reporting of any serious ailment or health hazard. “Respiratory system related systems and signs were not much different during pre- and post-festivals. Other system-related complaints were also not much different during preand post-Diwali,” read the CPCB affidavit, which was filed by advocate Vijay Panjwani.

CPCB’s study on harmful effects of materials used in the firecrackers was done after the SC, in its order on September 12, 2017, pulled it up for not doing so despite its earlier direction.

CPCB entrusted the task to Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), which conducted a short-term study, based on a questionnaire survey, hospital data collection and sampling at a few locations.

The affidavit added that the “air quality did worsen during Diwali and symptoms of increased coughing, relatively more hospital visits, increased noise levels and high metal levels in urine do reflect adverse impact of firecracker bursting” were reported. But this was not significant statistically.

“There was evidence of increased values of barium and strontium in urine samples of many subjects. These are some of the metals used in firecracker manufacturing. However, all other elements are not increased to substantiate the effect of bursting of firecrackers,” board said.