Mumbai: Despite ban, barium found in firecrackers

NGO demands state intervention after test reveals that most firecrackers available in market contain harmful chemicals

The NGO Awaaz Foundation which conducted a chemical testing of firecrackers available in the local markets has found that many of these crackers comprise chemical contents that have been banned by the Supreme Court. The contents of the firecrackers tested also included barium, which is said to be hazardous to health. Of the 18 samples of various firecrackers tested, 13 were found to be having barium. Lead was found in one of the samples, while traces of arsenic were seen in two samples; six samples contained chlorine and all 18 contained sulphur.

Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of NGO Awaaz Foundation, has written to the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar requesting them to consider the “serious hazard” to human health indicated by the test result of chemicals contained in the firecrackers. “There is a blanket ban on firecrackers containing barium, however, some manufacturers have been selling it without mentioning it on the packages. The contents can only be verified through chemical analysis,” Awaaz Foundation stated.

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Speaking on the issue, Abdulali said, “In 2021, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern about the effect of hazardous chemicals on people’s health. The SC placed on record Awaaz Foundation’s findings in their order dated October 29, 2021. The SC also reiterated the ban on barium,” she said, adding, “The court has also directed that any lapse on the part of the State Governments/State Agencies and Union Territories shall be viewed very seriously and if it is found that any banned firecrackers are manufactured, sold and used in any particular area, the Chief Secretary of the concerned state(s), the Secretary (Homes) of the concerned state(s) and the Commissioner of Police of the concerned area, District Superintendent of Police of the concerned area and the SHO/police officer-in-charge of the concerned police station shall be held personally liable. Nobody can be permitted to flout and or disobey the directions issued.”

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