Chinmayi Shalya & Pratibha Masand, TNN Oct 23, 2013, 03.06AM IST
The sparkler or the fountain may seem less noisy than bombs. But they are among the most toxic firecrackers used during Diwali. A heavy-metal test carried out on firecrackers by the Awaaz Foundation showed that most, particularly sparklers, fountains and certain varieties of bombs, contain banned metals and are hazardous.
The test, conducted by Faiz Abdulali, showed that green, gold and pink sparklers contain metals like lead, vanadium, copper, iron, aluminium, manganese and zinc. Copper, vanadium and lead are notified as hazardous when ingested or are in contact with the body.
"Metals like copper and cadmium are put in firecrackers to produce colours. The metals settle on tree leaves and other surfaces in dust form. For a long time thereafter, they remain in the environment, are inhaled and affect the respiratory tract of people, especially those who suffer from chronic problems," said Dr Amita Athavale, KEM Hospital's head of the chest medicine department.
Two doctors, too, have conducted a test on the impact of metals. Their subjects numbered 45. The test showed that more than 90% of those who came in touch with firecrackers showed high levels of zinc in the blood, urine and hair. A similar percentage had increased levels of nickel in their system. More than 60% had enhanced levels of lead.
"These metals enter the body not only through breathing, but also touching. While using sparklers, people, particularly children, absorb metals through the skin," said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation. She wrote to senior police officers on Tuesday, urging them to take action against the sale and distribution of firecrackers that are above restricted noise levels and have high content of hazardous chemicals.
"All serial crackers break decibel limits, several crackers do not display their chemical content on packing boxes and even if chemical content is displayed, it does not match the findings of tests," her letter stated.
