Diwali, the festival of lights is one of the greatest and grandest celebrations of India. Unfortunately, this celebration also brings down our air quality index (AQI) and makes our major cities unbreathable and uninhabitable. Not just the levels of air pollution are at its peak, but also noise pollution is off the charts, which can be harmful to people having cardiac issues. Fire Crackers can be injurious to the pregnant women, senior citizens and your kid’s health.
They are not just harmful to us, but can also cause harm to the biodiversity around us, like animals and birds. Your pet dogs and cats can be worst affected during this period as they have more sensitive ears than us. Thus they get easily scared and can suffer from serious hearing loss.
8 Effects of FireCrackers on Health
It is always encouraged by the Government and various Non-Profit organizations to celebrate a Firecracker free Diwali, as this is safe and more environment-friendly. Let us look at 8 effects of Firecrackers on health and the environment.
- Air Pollution/stagnation and serious contamination
Air pollution is obviously the first on this list of worst effects of crackers on health. Various reports in the past have shown that air pollution levels rise by about 50% across the country. In 2018, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded AQI of 302 in New Delhi (Capital of India), which was the worst ever recorded in the world. This can lead to serious respiratory illnesses such as Asthma, Bronchitis, Lung problems and can also lead to Cancer (I lost my mother to this). Air is a shared resource and should be managed and handled as such. As a human it is our responsibility to keep it clean and pollution free for other living beings as well.
2. The worst, Smog (Smoke+Fog)
What comes after this Air Pollution is the worst, The Smog. The pollution due to the heavy burning of firecrackers often leads to Smog (Smoke + Fog). It is very similar to fog (you can call it fog’s evil brother) but contains oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur along with Carbon Monoxide. It is not just injurious to health but also can lead to serious problems during night driving as it obstructs the view. Smog can occur if there is no wind or rain within 2-3 days after such heavy emissions. This could lead to serious health disorders such as Bronchitis, Asthma, Skin Cancer and Lung Cancers. Now you know why smog is dangerous and how it is one of the worst effects of firecrackers on health.
3. The deafening Noise Pollution
With Firecrackers bursting every microsecond during this celebration, Noise pollution is another major concern to deal with. It can be as dangerous as Air pollution and leads the list of adverse effects of firecrackers on health. It not only affects the Humans but can also affect the animals/pets around us such as our birds, cats and dogs as their ears are more sensitive than us, this makes them more scared. It is our duty to ensure their safety. Noise pollution caused by crackers can also lead to temporary or permanent deafness.
4. Rising temperatures or Global Warming
As mentioned above Oxides and Dioxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen along with Carbon monoxides are emitted during the burning of firecrackers. These are extremely dangerous to human health and also to the environment around us. These gases are often referred to as the Green House gases as they trap the heat within our environment instead of getting reflected back. This phenomenon raises the temperature of the planet. The temperature of our planet has risen by 2 degrees Celsius since the 1900s and have aided in the depletion of ozone layer. With the ozone layer vanishing the Sun’s harmful radiations are reaching the surface of the Earth. These radiations can cause skin cancer, permanent blindness and skin burning. Hence Fire Crackers cause Global warming and it has adverse effects on our health.
5. Injuries & Wounds
One has to be extremely careful while handling firecrackers as they can affect not just health but can also lead to body burns. If not handled properly or with carelessness, they can seriously harm the skin and cause irreparable damage. In many instances, Children have lost their lives or their eyesight due to negligence or no adult supervision. Hence, making it one of the most adverse effects of crackers.
6. Toxic waste and Garbage Disposals
After Diwali, the next worst effects of firecrackers on health is the streets are filled with the leftovers of gunpowder/Chemical Garbage lying all over the place and people coming in direct contact with it. This garbage is hazardous and is extremely hard to dispose of as it might affect the health of individuals who reside close to these open-air disposal areas. It is a very well known fact that almost all firecracker factories and industries in India do not follow any proper security measures and exploit people to work in such factories without any safety measures. These poisonous chemicals get exposed to their skin, eyes, lungs and can lead to major health disorders. Many studies conducted in 2018 have reported that prolonged exposure to such chemicals can lead to impairment or even impotence.
Simultaneously many children are exploited and forced to work in firecrackers factories. Child labor is a serious Crime! These children get exposed to harmful chemicals which hinders their growth hormones and prolonged exposure can affect their brain development.
7. Additional Health hazards
Firecrackers are not only dangerous to elderly citizens and children but can also to pregnant women. There have been many reports from 2010-2018 which linked such an amount of air pollution to Miscarriage in pregnant women and/or improper growth of the child in the womb. It is strongly advised to all would be mothers that they stay indoors or to wear an effective face mask such as N95. Loss of a child is the worst feeling a mother can have, making it one of the most adverse effects of crackers on health.
8. Fire and loss of lives
During the Diwali season, we often come across major newspaper articles about factories, houses or even communities getting burnt down due to a firecracker mishap and people losing their loved ones due to such instances. Firecrackers not only injure us but can also be life threatening as we are playing with fire, which makes it one of the most adverse effects of crackers on health and our lives too.
We all share the same environment and we have to pass it to our future generations the way we received it. It is a personal humble request, please avoid firecrackers this Diwali as we are making our cities non-habitable and making the air worse. Let us celebrate by coming together as a family and sharing the warm light and the wonderful moments with one another. Let your kids, family members, pets/companions feel safe in your house to get all the love in the world, That is the true meaning of Diwali, Isn’t it?
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Serious Effects of Firecrackers on Health
