Diwali is one of the most important festivals celebrated with fireworks in India with lot of enthusiasm and zeal. It’s a time of celebration, but comes also with the fear of terrible pollution levels, increased health troubles, especially for children, elderly, the ill and pets at home.
Diwali, the festival of lights, signifies the triumph of good over evil. This is the reason why people light up their homes with oil lamps and lights. In addition to lighting diyas, bursting firecrackers have also become an integral part of this festival. Though a fun activity, firecrackers during Diwali is one of the main reasons of the rising level of air pollution, especially in the cities.
In the past few years, as air pollution levels in the cities have increased, firecrackers coupled with the onset of winter increase the concentration of particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air you breathe by almost 10 times the safe limit and are beyond the Indian permissible limits of safety standards. These particles are fine enough to form toxic smog that can get into your lungs and bloodstream, and have adverse health impacts. The toxins released from firecrackers make it difficult to breathe and even cause many respiratory diseases.
Firecrackers release a lot of chemicals in the environment that lead to a number of health problems. Some of the effects are:
An increase in the level of sulfur dioxide in the air and inhaling this toxic air lead to wheezing and shortness of breath.
Cadmium is another chemical that is released in the air when you burst crackers. This chemical may lead to Anemia, kidney damage and affect the nervous system.
Copper released in the air irritates your respiratory tract.
Some other chemicals such as Lead, Magnesium, and Nitrate are also released in the air every time you burn crackers lead to severe health problems.
· Not just air pollution but firecrackers also increase noise pollution on Diwali.
Considering the dire situation, it’s high time to take a serious look at the awareness and make some immediate efforts to reduce the harm caused to the environment before it’s too late.
Here are a few ways that can help you avoid harming the environment during Diwali and celebrate eco-friendly and green Diwali, which is noiseless, smokeless, and safe for all.
Do not get exposed to direct smoke, as it may lead to choking effect. Stay away and cover nose and mouth.
Wear a paper or gauze mask to decrease smoke inhalation unless it interferes with regular breathing.
Wash your eyes, nose, mouth, hands with warm water after exposure to firecrackers.
Keep your medication within reach.
Always desirable to seek medical advice at the earliest, in the first sign of breathlessness or severe non-retracting cough.
Immediate first aid for eyes is to wash eyes thoroughly with potable water for 25 minutes and in case of serious infection or injury, one should consult an eye specialist within an hour.
Limit usage of firecrackers that emit enormous smoke and sound.
Dispose off waste properly after celebrations.
There is a strong need for the governments and the agencies concerned to take extra precautions to discourage the use of firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali. Some of the activities to be taken as a part of this initiative are
Advise the schools to sensitize children and staff about the harmful effects of firecrackers so that they use safer alternatives e.g. lights, flowers etc to celebrate the festivals.
Heads of Schools should address the school assembly in order to dissuade children from using firecrackers.
To organize rallies in order to sensitize the public about the ill-effects of firecrackers
Promote Students, parents, Resident Welfare Associations to take the pledge on celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly manner
Every Indian who aspires a safe Diwali do accept the fact that fireworks is only a part of festive look but the rest of traditions bring real color and valor to the great season. Although it is a tradition to burst crackers on Diwali, we should now refrain from doing it because of the increase in air pollution. We should aim to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly way and respect nature. Instead of bursting crackers, we can light diyas, decorate our house and surroundings with fairy lights.
Happy Eco-Friendly Diwali to all !!!
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