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Will be kept on updating with more details. Pollution Crackers are made using chemicals like phosphorous, sulphur and potassium chlorate. They may contain as much as 75 per cent potassium nitrate, 10 per cent sulphur and 15 per cent carbon. 'Light' non-noisy crackers like anaars that stay alight longer only yield more toxic gases. When these are burnt, they are converted into chemicals that can choke and harm the earth and our lives. Large amounts of waste get generated including the wrapping paper and plastic besides the poisonous remains of crackers.These will occupy our land dump for years and if burnt, will add to the noxious emissions. At Janakpuri (Delhi), SPM levels on Diwali evening were 4,366 microgram per cubic metre compared with 2,894 microgram per cubic metre in 2003. This is against the permissible standard of 200 microgram per cubic metre for SPM. At higher concentrations severe contraction restricts the breathing process. The Hindu, Nov 19 2004
Health Noxious gases irritate and harm mucosal linings and the pollution can block our air passages and cause asthma and other respiratory diseases. The noise causes deafness because crackers often reach sound levels of about 145-160 decibels.
Child labour Sivakasi in Tamilnadu produces more than 90% of firecrackers in India. More than 1 lakh children aged 3-14 work there 12-16 hrs a day for a meager Rs.10-15. The corrosive gunpowder mixture with which they work eats away their tender skins first and their flesh later Detailed report by Frontline Here In sivakasi, an estimated 1,25,000 children make up the child labour force, comprising 30% of the entire labour force. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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