Nagpur: With growing concerns over air and noise pollution caused by firecrackers, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) is working on formulations that can cut emissions by up to 60%. The institute is also seeking to revive the traditional joint-firecracker (ladis) industry that has suffered job losses over the last few years.
The institute is also developing 12-13 new formulations that emit little to no visible smoke. “Earlier formulations developed by NEERI and transferred to manufacturers resulted in about 25-30% lower emissions than conventional firecrackers. The newer formulations have achieved emission reductions of 45-60%,” Krupadam said. Krupadam said joint crackers account for an estimated 20-30% of the market and are traditionally made by hand or using small equipment. Bursting a garland containing 1,000 individual shells resulted in noise levels of around 130-140 decibels, against the prescribed limit of 125 decibels, Krupadam said.
“Many people involved in making these crackers have lost their jobs over the past five to seven years. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.
“They are low-emission firecrackers compared to conventional ones,” he said. The permitted, regulated production of joint firecrackers can provide employment opportunities to them while addressing environmental concerns,” he said. The broader objective, he said, is to address both environmental and livelihood concerns by promoting scientifically developed, lower-emission firecrackers while ensuring that only authorised products enter the market.
Krupadam clarified that the term ‘green crackers’ does not mean zero pollution. Another major area NEERI is working on is the regulation of joint firecrackers, including garlands or ‘ladis’. NEERI’s research has also sought to address the intense noise generated when large numbers of crackers in a garland burst within a few seconds. Download the TOI App.
These new variants are expected to reach the market by next Diwali , Joshua Krupadam, coordinator of National Centre of Excellence for Green Firecrackers at NEERI, told TOI on Tuesday.