HEALTH EFFECTS OF FIREWORKS AND CRACKERS AND SAFETY TIPS OF BURSTING OF CRACKERS

HEALTH EFFECTS OF FIREWORKS AND CRACKERS AND

SAFETY TIPS OF BURSTING OF CRACKERS

Prof.Dr.M.A.Aleem, M.D.,D.M(Neuro)

HOD & Professor of Neurology

KAPV Govt. Medical College

Visiting consultant Neurologist at ABC Hospital

Trichy

INTRODUCTION

In India, Diwali is known as one of the most famous festivals. On the occasion of this festival, people burn crackers and sparkles to express their happiness. The burning of these fireworks leads to metal pollution in air. Metal concentrations in ambient air were observed to be very high as compared to background values on previous days. For some metals the concentrations were observed to be higher than reported at industrial sites.

Bursting crackers and zooming rockets in the sky may be a wonderful sight but hazardous to nature, animals and human beings. The loud noise of the crackers and a heavy shower of metals and chemicals from the explosions are worth keeping in mind.

Globally, the fireworks industry is estimated to be around Rs 10,000 crore. The Chinese share is around Rs 3,000 crore, whereas India's share is very minuscule. Indian units export just sparklers.

There are more than Rs 700-crore fireworks industry in Sivakasi that houses 85 per cent of the total fireworks production capacity in the country. The 30-sq km radius around the small town generates business worth Rs 3,000 crore from three industries - printing, fireworks and matches.

 The pyrotechnic units in this small town carries out production activities for 11 months and sells the fireworks for one month which in turn is used up by consumers in just one day (at least 90 per cent of the production).

Sivakasi Fireworks Industries produces around 135 varieties using around six chemicals (aluminium and magnesium powder; potassium, strontium, barium nitrates; potassium chlorate; red phosphorous; zinc oxide; sulphur) as inputs. But it is the aluminium powder that is largely consumed.

Classifications:

Fireworks and crackers could be classified into four categories - noise (crackers), motion (rockets), display (flowerpots) and varieties that combine all these three. Currently, the ratio of colour fireworks:noise crackers is 60:40 and this is expected to change to 80:20.In addition, we are confident that our crackers will meet the noise-level restriction of 125 decibel levels at 4-metre distance.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF FIREWORKS AND CRACKERS

The fireworks and crackers has gone out of hand nowadays with firework and crackers becoming a health hazard to senior citizens, children, infants, adult  and asthmatics.

Health Effects due to crackers:

1. The level of suspended particles in the air increases alarmingly during Diwali, causing eye, throat and nose problems. Although most of us do not feel the immediate impact, these problems can later develop into serious health hazards.

2. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) exposure to the level of 100 ppm results in headache and reduced mental acuity. The effects are more pronounced in people with heart, lung or central nervous system diseases. Sulphur dioxide is readily soluble and dissolves in the larger airways of the respiratory system. This stimulates a contraction at 2 to 5 parts per million (ppm). At higher concentrations severe contraction restricts the breathing process.

3. Nitrogen dioxide is less soluble and so penetrates to the smaller airways and into the lungs. They destroy the linings of the respiratory surface, thereby reducing the intake of oxygen for the body. These cause respiratory allergies like asthma especially to the susceptible population.

4.Causes throat and chest congestion, and are likely to aggravate problems for those already suffering from coughs, colds and allergies.

5. High decibel level results in restlessness, anger, fidgetiness, impulsive behaviour and over-reaction to situations. Most crackers used have more than 80 dB noise that can cause temporary hearing loss.

6. Scientific data to suggests that noise pollution can cause leads to hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart attack and sleep disturbances. Normal decibel level for humans is 60 dB. An increase by 10 decibels means double the noise volume and intensity.

7. Children, pregnant women and those suffering from respiratory problems suffer the most due to excessive noise. It results in making them hyperactive or withdrawn.

8. Allergic bronchitis, acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, ephysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, ssinusitis, pneumonia and common cold increase durinf this times.The number of his patients doubles during Diwali. The firework is one of the provoking factors for childhood bronchial asthma that there is threat of exposure even from the unburnt material. These particles are very small (1 to 5 microns in size) and contain metals along with carbon.

Chemicals used in crackers and their harmful effects :

•    Lead : Affects the central nervous system in humans. When heated it can emit highly toxic fumes.    Young children can suffer mental retardation and semi-permanent brain damage by exposure to lead.

•    Magnesium : Inhalation of magnesium dust and fumes can cause metal fume fever. Particles  embedded in the skin produce gaseous blebs and gas gangrene. Dangerous fire hazard in the form of dust or flakes when exposed to flames. Poisoning takes the form of progressive deterioration in the central nervous system.

•    Zinc : Pure zinc powder is non-toxic to humans by inhalation but difficulty arises from oxidation (burning), as it emits zinc fumes. It stimulates the sensation of vomiting.

•    Manganese : Toxicity caused by dust or fumes. The main symptoms of exposure are languor, sleepiness, weakness, emotional disturbances, spastic gait and paralysis.

•    Sodium : When heated in air, it emits toxic fumes of sodium oxide. Can cause dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat and moisture.

•    Potassium : Dangerous fire hazard and explosion can occur.

•    Copper : Inhalation of copper dust and fume causes irritation in the respiratory tract. Absorption of excess copper results in "Wilson's disease" in which excess copper is deposited in the brain, skin, liver, pancreas and the myocardium (middle muscular layer in the heart).

•    Cadmium : Its absorption can damage the kidneys and can  cause anaemia. Cadmium causes

increased blood pressure and also a disease called "Itai-Itai", which makes bones brittle resulting in multiple fractures.

•    Phosphorous in the form of PO4 : Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or chemical reaction. Poison by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact and subcutaneous routes. Ingestion affects the central nervous system. Toxic quantities have an acute effect on the liver and can cause severe eye damage.

•    Sulphur in the form of SO4 : It affects the upper respiratory tract and the bronchi. It may cause edema of the lungs or glottis, and can produce respiratory paralysis. Poison to humans by inhalation. An eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant and corrosive.

•    Nitrate : Highly inflammable and on decomposition they emit highly toxic fumes. The symptoms are dizziness, abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness, convulsions and collapse.

•    Nitrite : Large amounts taken by mouth may produce nausea, vomiting, cyanosis, collapse and coma. Repeated small doses can cause a fall in blood pressure, rapid pulse, headaches and visual disturbances. When heated, emit highly toxic fumes of NOx.

Noise Pollution caused by Fire Crackers:

Crackers that make a noise of more than 125 decibels at four metres distance from the point of bursting are banned by the law. Given here are the hazards posed by excessive noise pollution caused by crackers:

1.      Hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart attack and sleeping disturbances.

2. Sudden exposure to loud noise could cause temporary deafness or permanent relative        deafness.

Noise maths:

Is the noise contributed by two crackers going off at the same split second enormous? Fireworks industry officials say the total sound level increases by just 3 decibels. Which means 110 dB+110dB = 113dB.

If the noise difference between two crackers is more than 10 decibels, the lesser noise is not heard at all. That is, 110dB+99dB = 110dB.

Sound effects :

Normal decibel level for humans is 60 dB. An increase by 10 decibels means double the noise volume and intensity. High decibel level results in restlessness, anger, fidgetiness, impulsive behaviour and over-reaction to situations. Most crackers used have more than 80 dB noise that can cause temporary hearing loss. Noise pollution can cause hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart attack and sleep disturbances.

Environmental pollution effects :

(a)    The level of suspended particles in the air increases alarmingly during Diwali, causing eye, throat and nose problems.

(b)    Suspended particulate matter exposure to the level of 100 ppm results in headache and reduced mental acuity. The effects are more pronounced in people with heart, lung or central nervous system diseases.

(c)    Sulphur dioxide is readily soluble and dissolves in the larger airways of the respiratory system. At higher concentrations severe contraction restricts the breathing process.

(d)    Nitrogen dioxide is less soluble and so penetrates to the smaller airways and into the lungs, thereby reducing the intake of oxygen for the body. These cause respiratory allergies like asthma especially to the susceptible population. It causes throat and chest congestion, and are likely to aggravate problems for those already suffering from coughs, colds and allergies.

(e)    Allergic bronchitis, acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, ephysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), allergic rhinitis, larynigitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and common cold increase during this time. Firework is one of the provoking factors for childhood bronchial asthma.

Diwali which has now turned almost to a festival of firing crackers leads to many people getting, many people lose their eyes, some become deaf, animals like dogs and cows don't get place to hide and protect themselves. But still this process is going on. Even a small country like Nepal has banned the use of firecrackers. But, can't we?  A combination of will and public support to limit health and environmental hazards and at the same time maintain memorable traditions, is needed to restore Deepawali to its pristine flavour.

CONCLUSION

The conflict between competing interests in society - safety, health, and calm on the one hand, and tradition on the other hand, has evolved over time, and the health effects are receiving greater attention.

A simple restriction on the cracker size and its chemical content is a better way of noise control. The Department of Explosives has offered to the Supreme Court that it will experiment with various firecrackers and evolve prescriptions on the desired size and chemical content for each variety of firecrackers so that the noise level is retained below 125 decibel.

To ban fireworks is not a practical solution. What is needed is an eco-friendly product — a firework that can produce light and sound, but not cause any harm to the person or the environment. This is not an impossible demand to meet.

Some US-based companies have already started to produce eco-friendly fireworks. One US company Chemical and Engineering Newshas shifted to nitrogen based fuels instead of carbon-based ones to produce clean fireworks. In addition, these improved fireworks consume only one tenth of barium quantity for producing colours. This considerably cuts down the release of small particles, produces less smoke and makes the firework environment friendly.

To avoid health hazards due to fireworks and crackers to some extent, the following points are to be noted.

1.                  Noise production limit in decibels can be noted in packs.

2.                  Chemical composition can be listed in the packs.

3.                  Specific instruction to children, adult, pregnant women and patients with asthma are to be noted in the packs.

4.                  Fireworks and crackers not only produces health hazards in users but also in people those who are working in their production. So in fireworks and crackers factory child labour should not be allowed to work.

DO AND DON’T’S  IN FIREWORKS AND CRACKERS USAGE

Do’s while bursting crackers:

• Use fireworks only outdoor.
• Buy fireworks of authorized/reputed manufacturers only.
• Light only one firework at a time, by one person. Others should watch from a safe distance.
• Keep the fireworks to be used at a safer place.
• Organize a community display of fireworks rather than individuals handling crackers.
• Always use a long candle/'phooljhari' for igniting fire crackers and keep elbow joint straight to increase the distance between the body and the crackers.
• Keep two buckets of water handy. In the event of fire, extinguish flame by pouring water from the buckets. Every major fire is small when it starts.
• In case of burns, pour large quantity of water on the burnt area.
• In case of major burns, after extinguishing the fire, remove all smoldering clothes. Wrap the victim in a clean bedsheet.
• The patient should be taken to a burns specialist or a major hospital. Don't panicky.
• In case of eye burns, wash the eye with tap water for 10 minutes and take the victim to a hospital.

Don'ts while bursting crackers:

• Don't ignite fireworks while holding them.
• Don't bend over the fireworks being ignited.
• Don't ignite fireworks in any container.
• Don't approach immediately to the misfired fireworks.
• Don't tamper with misfired fireworks.
• Don't attempt to make fireworks at home.
• Don't allow small children to handle fireworks.
• Don't throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Don't carry fireworks in the pocket.
• Don't store firecrackers near burning candles and diyas.
• Don't light firecrackers in narrow by lanes; preferably use open areas and parks.
• Don't wear synthetic clothing; preferably wear thick cotton clothing.
• Don't wear loosely hanging clothes; secure all clothes properly.
• Don't apply any cream or ointment or oil on burnt area.
• Don't drive recklessly while taking a burn victim to the hospital; a delay of up to one hour is immaterial.

Diwali Safety Measures:

Fireworks are the important things in joyful Diwali or Deepavali. No one can imagine a Diwali without crackers. As crackers are important on Diwali, the safety measures are also important to make the festival safest and happiest. There is a list of Do’s and Don’ts which make your Diwali sparkling.

Store Crackers Safely:
Keep the crackers in a closed box, out of reach of children and animals. Keep them away from all the sources of heat.

Wear Cotton Clothes:
Don’t wear loose clothes which can catch fire easily. Long dresses are also unsafe. Wearing cotton clothes prevents you from fire.

Light one at a time:
Light one cracker at a time. Lighting more than one cracker at a time may confuse you and there is a possibility for an unfortunate incident.

Keep Children Away:
When you light the crackers, keep the children away. Make sure that when children light the crackers, even one adult is there with them.

Safegaurd Your Ears: Hearing the constant sound of crackers above 85 dB may harm your inner ear. Make sure that you give yourself a break every 15 minutes. Wear cotton swabs in your ears for safety.

In unavoidable cases wear noise control devices such as noise attenuators or noise cancelling headphones and mufflers to safegaurd yourself from hazardous sounds.