MUMBAI: For the first time in 15 years, the Awaaz Foundation, which conducts an annual noise test on Diwali firecrackers, found that all 30 complied with the legal decibel (dB) limit of 125 dB. The loudest noise, at 90.7 dB, was emitted by a serial firecracker called Red Fort 5000.

“What seemed like a pointless exercise all these years has finally borne fruit,” said Sumaira Abdulali, founder of the Awaaz Foundation. “This progress was slow, but ultimately successful thanks to increased awareness of noise pollution, less demand for excessively loud crackers, and police seizing crackers exceeding the decibel limit.”

However, Abdulali added that the noise tests, carried out under controlled conditions – on the open ground of the RCF complex in Chembur, at a distance of 10 meters and broken out one by one – did not reflect the actual conditions. In the streets, firecrackers explode in tight spaces, among buildings and concrete, creating echoes; and multiple crackers burst simultaneously, creating a damaging experience for the ears.

But even though the noise figure was found to be reduced in testing, a disconcerting air pollution problem arose. The 30 firecrackers tested, although classified as “green”, violated the test of chemical components carried out by the NGO. “The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) does not conduct chemical test on firecrackers, but our tests revealed that each of them contained chemicals banned by the Supreme Court and the Hazardous Chemicals Rules” , said Abdulali. “Barium, sulfur and copper were among the harmful chemicals discovered, which are extremely toxic to children and others handling the crackers and breathing the air.”

The activist added that the banned chemicals, when released from firecrackers, would create toxic particles in the air, making them particularly deadly. While none of the crackers had a QR code containing a link to their chemical compositions last year, some did this time around, although some were found to be fake. This is also an improvement, Abdulali said.

After the activist told MPCB officials about the chemicals, they asked her to submit a written request for a chemical test, after which they will conduct it. “The test is unlikely to be useful this Diwali, but crackers are used throughout the year for other reasons,” Abdulali said. “When the test is carried out by the MPCB it will be official and hopefully will have a long-term effect.”