Green Crackers- Features, Types and Advantages

Green crackers were developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), and they release 30% less pollution than traditional crackers. It’s a green answer to India’s air pollution concerns, as well as a step forward in the fight against climate change.The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, has approved these crackers.

These crackers use less polluting raw materials, and their chemical formulation assures that particle emissions into the atmosphere are lowered by reducing dust.

As a dust suppressant and to dilute the gaseous emissions, these crackers discharge water vapour or air.

Green cracker characteristics

• Green crackers release between 110 and 125 decibels of sound, whilst regular crackers emit around 160 decibels.

• A green logo and Quick Response (QR) have been devised to distinguish green crackers from standard ones.

• To make fireworks with the green cracker, manufacturers must first obtain a contract with the CSIR.

Green cracker varieties

In India, three types of green crackers are available:

• SWAS (Safe Water Releaser)

• STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker)

• SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium)

SWAS

• Allow water vapour to escape

• Sulphur and potassium nitrate are not present.

• Gaseous emissions diluents

• There will be 30% less particle matter discharged.

STAR

• Sulphur and potassium nitrate are not present.

• Particulate matter released is reduced.

• Sound intensity has been reduced.

SAFAL

• The use of aluminium is kept to a bare minimum.

• Magnesium was substituted for aluminium.

• Sound intensity has been reduced.

Regular cracker composition

Charcoal or Thermite as a fuel

Nitrates and chlorates are oxidising agents (produce oxygen inside cracker)

Sulphur is a reducing agent (burns oxygen)

Regulators are used to control the speed and intensity of bursts.

Agents of colour:

• Red strontium salts

• White metals

• Yellow sodium salts

• Green barium salts

• Orange calcium salts

• Blue copper salts

Green crackers’ advantages and disadvantages 

Green crackers’ advantages and     disadvantages are as follows:

Compared to ordinary crackers, green crackers have a number of advantages.

Advantages:

• Less pollution: Every year, air quality has declined, and smog (smoke + fog) has become a threat throughout the winter months, particularly after the Diwali celebration. Green crackers in India will have a good impact on this issue for obvious reasons.

• Fewer incidents: Traditional firecrackers are loud and emit a powerful spark, which has resulted in several mishaps.Green crackers have a controlled sound and intensity, limiting the likelihood of such mishaps.

• Reduced emissions: The raw materials used in green crackers are less harmful, and dust suppression reduces particle emissions into the atmosphere.As a dust suppressant and to dilute the gaseous emissions, these crackers discharge water vapour or air.

Disadvantages

• Even green crackers contain toxic substances such as aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate, and carbon, but the amount is so little that emissions are decreased by around 30%. Some green crackers don’t employ any of these compounds at all. However, they are free of barium nitrate, which is one of the most dangerous ingredients in regular firecrackers.

• One of the most significant disadvantages of Green crackers is that they can only be produced by companies that have signed a contract with the CSIR.

• Unemployment: Because no small manufacturing unit will be allowed to create green crackers, all other industries that produce traditional types of crackers may be left unemployed.

• The components and elements needed to make a green cracker are not readily available to everyone, which may be one of the reasons why many businesses have declined to participate.

• Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, continues to be India’s main provider of green crackers, producing about 70% of the country’s crackers.

Conclusion

Green crackers, it has been said, do not include aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate, or carbon, making them environmentally beneficial. However, despite their benefits, these environmentally friendly firecrackers are more expensive than traditional firecrackers. It stated that there was no complete ban on the use of firecrackers, and that only those crackers containing Barium salts, chemical crackers, or those determined to be harmful to one’s health had been banned. ” Celebrations cannot be held at the cost of another’s health.To address the rising levels of air pollution in metropolitan areas, even the smallest efforts must be taken. The implementation of environmentally friendly solutions is urgently needed and will eventually have a stronger impact. These little but significant contributions will also contribute to global efforts to reduce climate change.