Dear lovely young friends,

With Diwali around the corner, all of you must be very excited to stock up on decorative lights, sparklers, crackers, and other such stuff. Most of you must be busy helping your parents in making your homes spic-and-span before Diwali. All sorts of sweet and savoury items such as mithai, namkeen, etc. will find a place in dabbas at your homes. Some of you will also perform Lakshmi Puja on that day. New clothes are not uncommon either. I can totally understand your excitement. Diwali comes once a year, after all.

But have you ever wondered what happens after Diwali? This time, observe your neighbourhood the day after Diwali. Well, you needn’t wait till then. Let me tell you right away what happens. The air quality deteriorates, there’s a pungent smell of burnt sparklers/crackers all around, there are wrappers and remnants of burnt crackers on the roads, a few of your friends/neighbours have had to rush to the emergency ward of hospitals with burn injuries, pets and other street animals are scared and probably injured, old/sick people have had a difficult time sleeping, people with asthma have had an attack or two...

And why do think these things would happen?

Let me tell you why. Firecrackers cause both air and noise pollution. This pollution can have several harmful effects on public health and the environment. Firecrackers contain various chemicals, the residue of which can settle on the ground and waterbodies, potentially harming the environment and aquatic life. After firecrackers are burst, their remnants become waste. Improper disposal of fireworks can contribute to environmental pollution and cause damage to crops as well. The bright and colourful lights from fireworks can contribute to light pollution, disrupting the natural night environment and affect wildlife behaviour. Here’s a list of the issues caused by firecrackers:

Respiratory issues: The smoke and emissions produced by fireworks contain harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These pollutants can irritate the respiratory system and worsen pre-existing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. So, patients with respiratory conditions, including Covid-19 related lung fibrosis, should stay away from smoke. Patients with COPD and asthma should avoid indoor dust and firecracker smoke.

Hearing damage: Firecrackers produce extremely loud sounds, which can lead to temporary or permanent hearing damage, especially if individuals are exposed to them at close range without hearing protection. Additionally, they can damage the eardrums leading to perforation, deafness, tinnitus, and giddiness.

Stress and anxiety: The sudden and loud explosions caused by crackers can cause stress and anxiety, particularly in sensitive individuals, children, and pets. This can lead to increased heart rates, nervousness, and panic reactions.

Injuries: Accidents related to the mishandling or malfunctioning of firecrackers can result in injuries, including burns, cuts, and eye injuries. In severe cases, these injuries can be life-threatening.

Environmental allergies: The dust and particles released by fireworks can worsen allergies in some individuals, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Mental health issues: The noise and air pollution caused by excessive fireworks can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to mental health issues such as insomnia, stress, and irritability.

Environmental issues: The environmental impact of crackers can affect public health indirectly. Pollution from fireworks can contribute to air and water pollution which can have long-term consequences on ecosystems and, consequently, human health.

Does all of this sound good to you?

I’m sure you would say ‘no’. Therefore, I urge all of you to celebrate the festival in such a way that nobody and nothing is harmed. And by that I mean people, animals as well as the environment. We cannot harm anybody or anything in the process of celebrating a festival. We have to be responsible and mature enough to understand the risks associated with our callous celebration. So the next time you plan to buy a pack of crackers, please think twice. Instead why not enjoy by lighting earthen diyas, sharing mithai and spreading the festive cheer with smiles?

Have a safe and happy Diwali!