Context:
Supreme Court decided to study the protocol to implement regulations/restrictions on the sale of green crackers.
Green Crackers:
- Definition: Firecrackers made with a reduced shell size, without use of ash, low usage of raw materials and additives to reduce emissions with specific reference to particulate matter (PM).
- Developed by – Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
- Features –
- Low thermite content
- Use of Carbon instead of arsenic
- Minimal usage of aluminium
- Doesn’t contain barium compounds
- Use of potassium nitrate (instead of Barium nitrate) as an oxidant
- Barium nitrate – A metal oxide that adds to air and noise pollution. It is the most hazardous compound.
- Less noisy and less polluting
NEERI is a constituent of CSIR to conduct research and developmental studies in environmental science and engineering.
Types of green crackers:
- SWAS (Safe Water Releaser):
- Release water vapour instead of key pollutants
- No potassium nitrate and sulfur
- Deploys diluents for gaseous emissions
- Controls particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 30%
- STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker):
- Reduced sound intensity
- No potassium nitrate and sulfur
- SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium):
- Replaces magnesium in place of aluminium
- Reduces levels of pollutants
What is the role of PESO?
- Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is tasked with certifying that the crackers are made without arsenic, mercury, and barium, and are not loud beyond a certain threshold.
How to identify?
- A green logo of CSIR-NEERI and PESO and a QR code.
About PESO:
- An office under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
- Established in 1898.
- Nodal agency – To regulate safety of substances such as explosives, compressed gases and petroleum.
- HQ: Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Source: The Hindu
Related News
E-crackers:
- Developed by – CSIR-CEERI (Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute)
- Produces the same light and sound as traditional firecrackers without emitting any of the hazardous smoke that spike air pollution.
- It produces different illumination patterns and sounds and is reusable.
- It uses a rechargeable battery and is absolutely safe and green.
- Examples: E-Ladi, E-Anar etc.
- E-Ladi –
- Based on high-voltage electrostatic discharge to generate light/sound effect.
- Triggered by providing heat to the thermal switch which will give the excitement of firing the conventional cracker.
Previous Year Question
In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
