Don’t burst crackers between 10 pm and 6 am, says BMC

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an advisory on Tuesday ahead of Diwali, stating that crackers should not be burst between 10 pm and 6 am, as there is a ban on crackers making noise above 125 decibel. 

The Mumbai civic body has sought to sensitise people about the harmful effects of firecrackers and advised them not to burst them in areas earmarked as silence zones. 

Civic officials also said they and BMC volunteers will also keep a watch on those bursting crackers and those found violating rules will be reported to the police station concerned for further action. 

In its statement, the BMC has said firecrackers not only play havoc with the environment but also pose a grave danger to human health, especially to people’s ears, eyes and respiratory system. The advisory said crackers are made of pollution-based substances that destroy the ecosystem. It said they emit toxic gases into the environment, which the public inhale and it causes tremendous discomfort to babies and senior citizens. 

The advisory said, “Aluminium powder, sulphur and potassium nitrate go into noise-making crackers, while barium nitrate (green) and strontium nitrate (red) produce light. Aluminium powder is used in sparklers.” 

It said, “A combination of barium nitrate and strontium nitrate in varying proportions produces different colours. When the crackers are burst they release harmful gases, polluting the air as well as affecting health. If not taken into consideration, it can lead to severe health hazards.” 

Dr Avinash Supe, director of major civic-run hospitals, said, “The people must be very careful about these firecrackers, especially those that emit the harmful chemicals that produce colour. Breathing those harmful gases can lead to breathing disorders.”