Celebrate Diwali - Ecofriendly - Slideshow

Developed by Mita Majumdar, M.Sc. | Reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team

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Diwali

Diwali - the "Festival of lights" is just around the corner and people across all cities are running pillar to post in a frenzy to every store with their shipping lists that include clothes, sweets, gift cards and puja paraphernalia. And there isn't a shopping list that does not include fireworks and crackers! At this point, we would like you to be aware of the health hazards and harmful effects of lighting up fireworks and crackers during a brightest festival that is synonymous with joy, peace and prosperity.

Air Pollution

It is sad that Diwali today has turned into Festival of Pollution!

The quantum of air pollution increases every year due to the bursting of crackers on Diwali.

Harmful gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide etc are released in air while bursting crackers. These gases cause ailments like asthma, bronchitis, wheezing, breathing problems, and other respiratory illnesses.

The toxic gas can also have adverse effects on pregnant women. Gases can also affect the mentally ill patients leading to depression, fear and stress. Some of these poisonous gases can directly affect our nervous system.

During Diwali the air pollution rate increases upto 30%. We definitely don't want to inhale such terrible toxic gases.

Noise Pollution

Firecrackers produce high decibels of sound and its vibration travels over a long distance, which creates numbness in the ear.

Sudden loud noise (>80 db) can also cause temporary hearing loss or even permanent deafness.

Infants, Heart patients, children and patients in hospitals are terribly affected due to cracker noise. It is difficult for them to take sudden shock and trauma.

Pets are scared of the firecracker noise. They have an incredible ability to hear sounds, which are faint to the human ear. For dogs, a even a small cracker sound can seem like a bomb because of their acute hearing ability.

Eradicate Child Labour

Did you know that it is children who work long hours to make these crackers and fireworks? These children work in the most unhygienic conditions without sufficient protect and are directly exposed to harmful gases. For the sake of these children, let us stop bursting crackers.

Hundreds of children are illegally employed in manufacturing cracker units.

They are physically, mentally and morally harmed and abused.

We should try to give these children a brighter future by gifting them with the joys of the festival.

Global Warming & Environment

Air pollution is a major cause for global warming. Firecrackers release high amounts of smoke; like magnesium, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

Increased particulate matter can alter the meteorological conditions like temperature changes, low wind speed and low mixing height.

Garbage disposal is a big problem in India; firecrackers make the situation even worse.

The outer wrappers around crackers are usually made up of plastics that are non-biodegradable. These materials do not decay, gradually contaminating the soil making it infertile for agriculture.

Fires and Injury

Firecrackers usually cause fires and burns. Bursting crackers without care leads to small and sometimes huge accidents.

Careless handling of fireworks especially, the "rockets" can lead to fire in nearby huts and houses.

Severe burns and injuries may cause death.

Conclusion

Avoid burning your wallet on crackers. Instead spend time with the elderly and generously give gifts, sweets to the underprovided children.

Celebrate the joy of Diwali by lighting lamps and spreading the joy of festival through love and kindness.

Save the environment.

Celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali.

Wishing you and your family a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS Diwali!!