Aerial crackers will be the noisiest this Diwali: Study

Be prepared for some deafening sound from firecrackers this Diwali. And it’s not just the sutli bombs that will assault your ear drums this time, as even the aerial firecrackers have tested to be above the prescribed noise limit.

The test, conducted on random specimens taken from the market, showed that of the 17 variants, four exceeded the permissible level of 125 decibel. The state government and the Supreme Court guidelines stipulate that the sound level should not exceed this limit at a distance of four metres from the bursting point.

The check was jointly conducted by NGO Awaaz and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) at Bhakti Park, Wadala. “The test has been conducted to create awareness about noise and air pollution. We started these tests over a year ago to ascertain if manufacturers are adhering to the permissible level guideline.

Most firecrackers do not mention the chemicals used, which makes it difficult for consumers to judge their decibel levels,” said Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz foundation, which creates awareness on air and noise pollution.

“It is very important that noise-level restrictions are followed, as otherwise it causes hearing loss, increased blood pressure, irritation, mental illness and in some cases even death,” she added. Sound restriction for residential areas is 55db from 6am to 10pm and 45db from 10pm to 6am; in commercial areas it is 65db and 55db, and in industrial zones it is 85db and 75db, respectively. The decibel level of 125 is for open spaces.

“That is why there should be restrictions on firecrackers being burst in localities with little open space or where the buildings are closely arranged. These tests have shown that the aerial firecrackers are equally loud, if not louder. They can cause problems to people living in upper floors,” added Abdulali. Of the four crackers that crossed the sound levels, three were aerial. They are Sky Burst — 125.3db, Thunder Bomb — 130.6db, Singing Birds — 130db and Vulcano — 127.4db.

“The report will be sent to the explosives department, as it is the one responsible for taking to task the manufacturers who flout norms,” said SC Kollur, scientific officer from MPCB who conducted the tests.