All crackers are dangerous

If you think that only loud, noise-making crackers are unsafe, think again. Even the ones that do not produce sound—like sparklers and flower pots—are harmful, given how much they poison the environment.

It is the presence of heavy metals in the crackers that gives them the distinct colour and effect. These metals are toxic in nature and hazardous to human health. When crackers are used, they release high amount of these toxic elements in the atmosphere. Inhaling this air is harmful for humans.

Dr Arun Naik, neurosurgeon, BGS Global Hospitals, said inhaling in such an atmosphere can affect liver, lungs, kidneys and brain. Small children and young women are more prone to get affected, as the presence of heavy metals in one’s body may lead to stunted growth in newborns and teething problem in the case of small children. He said the crackers affect the central nervous system, which is sensitive to heavy metals. If these elements are present in one’s body in high amount, it may lead to confusion, giddiness, vomitting, cramps in the muscle and other complications.

Dr Naik said that when compared with healthy adults, it is more difficult for the smokers’ and the elders’ body to discard these toxic elements when they enter the system. He said if these elements get deposited in the body, they contribute to premature ageing and affect vision, kidneys and blood-formation.

Vaman Acharya, chairperson, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, said many studies have shown that presence of high quantity of aluminium (one of the elements invariably present in crackers) in the body can have an impact on brain. In fact, it can even spark Alzheimer’s disease, he said. He noted that parents buy noiseless crackers for their children, presuming that these are safe. He said that if one takes note of the toxic substances present in these crackers, one cannot call them safe.

In fact, a website avaaz.org conducted a study, which showed that noisy crackers do not have as much heavy metal as noiseless ones like sparklers and flower pots. The study said that use of many of the chemicals that go into making crackers is banned under the Hazardous Chemicals rules of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Maybe that is why some people have started referring to these as silent killers.