Context:
Green firecrackers in high demand on Diwali
Green Crackers:
- Eco-friendly firecrackers designed to produce less air and noise pollution compared to traditional ones.
- Developed by the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2018.
- Composition –
- Replaces harmful substances in traditional crackers with less polluting alternatives.
- Do not contain barium nitrate, a hazardous component in conventional crackers.
- Use chemicals like potassium nitrate and aluminium instead of magnesium and barium, and carbon instead of arsenic.
- Noise Levels – Has 100-130 decibels comparing to 160-200 decibels produced by traditional crackers
- Types of Green Crackers –
- SWAS (Safe Water Releaser) – Releases water vapour, reducing particulate matter emissions by up to 30%.
- STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker) – Controls particulate dust emissions and has lower sound intensity.
- SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium) – Uses magnesium instead of aluminium, reducing pollutant levels.
- Production and Certification –
- Only licensed manufacturers approved by CSIR can produce green crackers.
- Certified by – Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to ensure they are free from arsenic, mercury, and barium, and meet noise level standards.
- Identification – Green crackers can be identified by a green logo and a Quick Response (QR) code on their packaging.
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
1. Ceiling fans
2. Electric geysers
3. Tubular fluorescent lamps
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
