An increasing number of environmentally-conscious people in Hyderabad and some other parts of Andhra Pradesh appear to be opting for eco-friendly and smokeless fire crackers.
These (eco-friendly crackers) are made of recycled paper and do not contain as much chemicals as conventional fire crackers. They emit less smoke and noise, a eco-fire cracker dealer told PTI here.
People do not know much about eco-friendly crackers. We must educate them and create awareness among the public about these products. Then only we can create a pollution-free environment for future generations, he said.
Padala Rami Reddy, a fire cracker dealer in village Komarapalem in East Godavari district, said “unlike the normal cracker making method, eco-friendly crackers are based on a vacuum combustion method. These crackers produce colourful sparks with considerable sound and less smoke”.
He said people in most of the metros, including New Delhi, and several other places, were opting for eco-friendly and smokeless firecrackers and celebrating Diwali without much noise. Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board member Srinivas said: “We are thankful to eco-friendly fire cracker manufacturers for producing non-polluting and safe products, especially for children.”
These crackers can be enjoyed inside the house as well, he added. Srinivas said prices of such crackers are low compared to the sound-making ones.
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"Crackers contain a lethal cocktail of copper, potassium nitrate, carbon, lead, cadmium, zinc and sulphur, which emit noxious gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, when lit. This causes immense air pollution and exposes us to a number of health hazards," he said.
“Conventional crackers create health problems like hearing loss , high blood pressure, respiratory complications , skin allergies and eye inflammation.”