Diwali, as dazzling as ever.

Also published in The Better India

With Diwali round the corner, asthamatics already wheezing at the mere thought of smoggy air, green warriors raising their heckles for a pollution-free festival and the Supreme Court of India also throwing in its weight for good measure, saying 'no' to fireworks is the best way forward. But if you simply cannot give it up, at least minimise the pollution this season creates. Here is a long-pending blog on how to enjoy the most famous and looked-forward to element of Diwali, in the greenest, safest and guilt-free manner possible. 

Eco-friendly fireworks! Yes, they exist and are easily available too. 

A grand, community fireworks display was personally initiated five years ago in my residential community. Eco-friendly fireworks were introduced and only non-toxic crackers were allowed for individual celebrations too. The response was great and has been followed by successive teams since then, every year. 

Most important takes:
1. Purchase of firecrackers came down by more than 50% (even by hardcore firecracker buyers) without any grudge. 
2. People with respiratory problems, pets and young children enjoyed a ring-side evening with a low-decibel, clear-view display in breathable and non-toxic air. And rather pleasant smiley aftereffects.
3. It brought the community together under one brightly coloured sky, like it used to be before the times of high walls and cordoned lives. 

I had shared the following facts with my residential community back then, now, updated, it is here for you all.

Read on :) 

So, What goes in.
The basic components of any firecracker are fuel and an oxidizer, predominantly, charcoal or other organic compounds, with lead, ash and perchlorate salt. These are needed to combine to first combust under heat and, with metal alloys also in the mix, create the light and colourful sparkle that we look forward to. To send it up in the air, we need good old gunpowder, which usually contains Sulphur. So that’s your firecracker in a nutshell.

When is it hazardous? 
Though perchlorate is toxic to start with, in these pyrotechnic items, it combusts and becomes harmless during the burning processes. So, no big deal, right? Think again.

When diffused in excessive quantities, very often, or in closed spaces, the remnants of perchlorate compounds, metal alloys and Sulphur can contaminate the Earth and cause health related issues. Diwali is certainly a culprit in raising pollution levels in India several hundred times higher than is manageable naturally. Which is why some thinkers are making a move towards reducing the evils of this age-old tradition, while retaining the fun element.

Eco-friendly? How?!
It is quite a revelation, really. Some of the traditional fireworks manufacturers have risen to the environmental challenge facing us and have ventured into eco-friendly fire-crackers. These are either perchlorate-free or Sulphur-free or drastically low on these components compared to regular practice. They also contain a small fraction of metal compounds as opposed to regular crackers. They use no lead or ash and the use of nitrates as oxidisers further brings down the release of toxins into the air.  What we are left with largely, after a celebration now, is carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen, with minimal air pollution.

Non-stop fun!
Eco-friendly fireworks are just as much fun, produce a lot less smoke and make colours more visible. The difference cannot be ignored. Furthermore, crackers created thus bring about brighter and deeper colours of blues and reds that are not possible with regular pyrotechnics. Who would have thought?!

The change. 
In traditional fireworks, high levels of Sulphur, metal alloys and perchlorate combust to produce small particles of metal oxides and potassium chloride that are visible as black and dense smoke. These choke the respiratory tracts. When inhaled in excessive quantities, continuously or in confined spaces, they can cause greater harm.

Eco-friendly crackers, that are devoid of sulphur and very low on all other chemicals, release little or no smoke. The larger and heavier crackers contain minimal amounts of Sulphur, metal alloys and perchlorate, releasing very low quantities of toxins into the air. So you can have the clichéd cake and eat it too!

Green thought.
Many of us are continuously striving to bring about better awareness for a greener world, for our children. My residential complex's annual community displays of recent years have brought together many like-minded, caring and responsible people under one brilliant night sky. There are children and babies, senior citizens and asthmatics who feel very comfortable during and after the ½ hour long display of continuous fireworks and dazzling colours. It is less punishing even for pets. Indeed, it has been a successful initiative on all counts.

There is still some way to go before manufacturers make these fireworks 100% green, and it is infinitely better to say 'no' to fireworks entirely too, but right now, we have an option that meets the best of both world views, better than what we have had in decades. If we can take this one step further and make a bigger commitment towards conservation today, we can be proud of a decision that our children will be grateful for, tomorrow.

For Bangalore supplies, contact: 

J Madhan Kumar: 9845035304
For more clarifications and to take it forward, visit the supplier's website: http://kaliswari-fireworks.com/