New Delhi, Nov 5 Green crackers may release fewer pollutants than conventional ones, but they are far from harmless, say doctors, warning that even reduced emissions can trigger asthma attacks, worsen chronic lung diseases and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications amid Delhi’s already high pollution levels.
With the Supreme Court permitting the bursting of certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8, doctors have cautioned against treating them as a safe alternative, particularly for children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions.
Dr Ankit Singhal, senior consultant, respiratory medicine, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said green crackers were designed to reduce particulate matter emissions by approximately 30 per cent compared to conventional firecrackers and limit the use of certain harmful chemicals.
However, they still release PM2.5 and PM10 particles, along with toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, which could cause irritation in the respiratory tract, trigger asthma attacks, worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and aggravate existing heart and lung conditions, he said.
Singhal said children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with respiratory illnesses are particularly vulnerable, as even short-term exposure to elevated pollution levels could affect their health.
Dr Ujjawal Parakh, senior consultant, chest medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said the reduction in emissions should not be interpreted as a corresponding reduction in health risks.
“A 30 per cent reduction doesn’t mean 30 per cent less harmful or 30 per cent safer for health. It is just an emission criterion and has nothing to do with the effect on health,” he said.
Parakh said the pollutant particles released by green firecrackers could cause irritation in the nasal canal, throat and upper airways, increase sputum production and worsen respiratory conditions. Such exposure could also trigger oxidative stress, affect blood pressure and increase susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias and coronary events.
The impact of poor air quality is also being seen among people without any history of respiratory illnesses. Dr Nikhil Modi, senior consultant, respiratory medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, cited the case of a 50-year-old man with a history of asthma who developed pneumonia and a drop in oxygen levels after returning to Delhi few weeks ago.
His wife and son, neither of whom had a history of asthma, also developed respiratory symptoms, including throat irritation, congestion and breathing difficulties. While the man required medical attention, the other two family members are receiving outpatient treatment but continue to experience symptoms. Neither the wife nor the son developed a fever, while the man was the only one in the family to report one, Modi said.
The case highlights how poor air quality can affect different members of the same family, including those without pre-existing respiratory conditions, he said.
Dr Arun Chowdary Kotaru, director and head of pulmonology at FMRI, Gurugram, said exposure to green crackers could cause coughing, throat discomfort, breathlessness and wheezing, while fine particles could penetrate deep into the lungs and contribute to inflammation.
He said children, elderly people and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions were particularly vulnerable, and advised people to minimise firecracker use, avoid areas where bursting takes place and ensure that vulnerable individuals stay indoors with windows closed during peak exposure hours.
Highlighting the additional challenges posed by Delhi’s winter conditions, Dr Sandeep Nayar, principal director and head of the Centre for Chest and Respiratory Diseases at BLK-Max Hospital, said high baseline concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, low wind speeds and temperature inversion restrict dispersion of pollutants, allowing them to accumulate close to the ground.
He said fine particles could penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation, and potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
For people with asthma and COPD, exposure could also trigger acute bronchospasm, wheezing and worsening of respiratory symptoms, Nayar said.
The Supreme Court, in its interim order on Monday, permitted bursting of only green firecrackers certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8.
It also prohibited bursting of firecrackers within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, old-age homes and other notified silence zones, directing strict compliance with the restrictions.
The bench said festival celebrations must not become a health hazard for others, particularly those admitted to hospitals.
(PTI News)
