More light, less sound

Context: India is reviewing its noise pollution regulations in response to the growing issue of noise pollution in the country, particularly caused by firecrackers.

Noise Pollution:

• The term “noise” comes from the Latin word for sickness, as it refers to unpleasant sounds that cause discomfort. 
• Sound intensity is measured in decibels, with the faintest sound detectable by the human ear being 1 dB. 
• Noise pollution is a growing concern due to factors such as vehicles, aircraft, industrial machines, loudspeakers, and fireworks. 
• Additionally, appliances like televisions, radios, and transistors can contribute to noise pollution when used at high volumes.

What are the rules and guidelines for controlling noise pollution?

• The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, which fall under the Environment Protection Act 1986, state that firecrackers are prohibited in areas designated as ‘silence zones’ and are not allowed to be used after 10 PM.
• Firecracker noise levels must not exceed 75 dB between 6AM and 10PM. The maximum noise levels allowed in commercial and residential areas are 65 dB and 55 dB, respectively.
• People can file a complaint if the noise level exceeds 10 dB during the day. A 10 dB increase in noise means the acoustic pressure has increased by 10 times.

What problems are associated with regulating noise pollution?

• Zones with varying levels of loudness are often not clearly marked, especially in areas that serve both residential and commercial purposes. 
• The rules regarding penalties for those who violate noise regulations are also unclear. 
• Furthermore, there is a lack of enforcement of these rules.

Green crackers:

• • Green Crackers are fireworks that are designed to be environmentally friendly and reduce air pollution compared to traditional firecrackers. 
  • They were created by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), specifically the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab. 
  • These green crackers are made from alternative materials and do not contain harmful substances like aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate, or carbon. 
  • They are also known as eco-friendly crackers and include flower pots, pencils, fireworks, maroons, bombs, and chakkar.

• Category: 

• • The Safe Water Releaser is a device that safely releases water. Water vapour will be released into the air to reduce the dust, and it will not contain harmful substances like sulphur or potassium nitrate. Additionally, a substance will be released to dilute gaseous emissions. This process will result in a 30% decrease in the amount of dust particles released.
  • A device called the Safe Thermite Cracker(STAR) has been developed. This product does not have sulphur or potassium nitrate. It releases less particulate matter and has a reduced noise level.
  • Safe Minimal Aluminium(SAFAL) refers to a type of aluminium that is considered safe for use and contains minimal amounts of potentially harmful substances. This product does not include sulphur or potassium nitrate. It produces less particulate matter when discharged and is quieter than traditional alternatives.

Way Forward:

• Governments should take measures to stop the manufacturing of firecrackers. 
• Cities need to make noise data more easily available to the public and establish goals for reducing noise. 
• In 2018, CSIR introduced environmentally-friendly and quieter fireworks called ‘green’ crackers, which are now required by various governing bodies to be used.

Conclusion:

India’s noise issue is a major health crisis. To mitigate the problem caused by fireworks, governments should ban the production of non-compliant fireworks, while cities should improve public access to noise information and set goals for reducing noise levels.

Practice question:

Q. How effective are Green crackers in combating Noise pollution?

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