Context:
• Ahead of Deepavali 2025, renewed debate surrounds whether “green crackers”, developed by CSIR–NEERI (Nagpur) to curb emissions, have actually led to measurable improvement in air quality, particularly in Delhi–NCR, which continues to face severe post-festival pollution spikes.
Key Highlights:
- Judicial & Regulatory Background:
- The Supreme Court permitted the sale of green crackers as a balanced approach between public sentiment, pollution control, and livelihood protection in the fireworks industry.
- Regulatory oversight provided by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
- Only licensed manufacturers (about 1,500 across India, mostly in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu) are authorized to produce these fireworks.
- Development by CSIR–NEERI (2018):
- Aimed to achieve 30–80% reduction in particulate emissions while retaining brightness and safety.
- Introduced three key formulation changes:
- Zeolite and boron-based reagents → suppress dust particles.
- Metallic composites → improve combustion efficiency.
- Water-releasing molecules → moisten dust to prevent it from becoming airborne.
- Examples of Green Crackers:
- ‘SAFAL’ (flower pot variant): Uses lime and water-based composition.
- ‘SWAS’ (bomb variant): Uses potassium nitrate oxidizer with proprietary additives, reducing PM10 and PM2.5 by 30–72% in laboratory conditions.
- Terminology Clarification:
- The scientifically correct term is “Reduced Emission Fireworks (REFs)”, not “green crackers”, since emissions are reduced, not eliminated.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Green Crackers / REFs:
- Designed to reduce emissions of PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, and NOx using modified formulations.
• Zeolite: - A microporous aluminosilicate that acts as a dust suppressant by trapping particulate matter.
• PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation): - Regulates manufacture, storage, and sale of explosive materials in India.
• CSIR–NEERI: - Research institute under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Nagpur.
- Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safe and verified green cracker production.
• AQI (Air Quality Index): - Composite measure based on PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃ concentrations; categories: Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, Severe.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Effectiveness & Ground Reality:
- Despite controlled lab results, field data (2018–2025) show no measurable reduction in overall pollution levels.
- PM2.5 and PM10 levels during Deepavali 2025 crossed 1,000 µg/m³ in parts of Delhi–NCR—well above the ‘Severe’ AQI category.
- Meteorological conditions (low wind speed, temperature inversion) and stubble burning remain dominant pollution contributors.
- Enforcement and public awareness remain limited outside urban centers.
- Socio-Economic Aspect:
- The initiative intended to protect livelihoods in traditional firework hubs (e.g., Sivakasi).
- Provides a transitional solution balancing environment and employment.
- However, lack of independent certification and consumer awareness hampers adoption.
- Scientific & Policy Implications:
- Demonstrates partial technological success but limited real-world efficacy.
- Highlights the need for holistic urban air-quality management—not isolated technological fixes.
- Way Forward:
- Establish independent real-time emission monitoring during festival seasons.
- Promote eco-friendly public celebrations with sound–light alternatives.
- Integrate green manufacturing certification under national air-quality missions.
- Link initiatives with “LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment)” to foster behavioral change.