FOR MANY, DIWALI BRINGS HAPPINESS AND FOR SOME IT IS A NIGHTMARE. CONSIDERING THIS, SEVERAL NGOS HAVE STEPPED UP TO CURB THE POLLUTION DURING DIWALI
Diwali is the most fun-filled festival of all. Shopping, meeting family and friends, exchanging gifts is an integral part of this festival. However, for many the celebration is incomplete without the bursting of crackers, making the festival synonymous with noise and air pollution in the city.
Hence, many social organisations have come together in order to curb pollution in the city this Diwali. “Every year, we conduct campaigns in schools and other education institutes and spread the awareness against the use of firecrackers. This year, as well, we have organised awareness campaign in around 110 schools of Mumbai, informing students how it is dangerous for our environment, health, for animals, and what kind of measures should we take to reduce the pollution. These children then further help us in spreading the word,” says Kiran Madan from NGO called Sanskar India.
According to the NGO, more than 5000 children till date has taken a pledge of not bursting crackers. Nevertheless, the level of pollution did not see any drastic change over the years. People in many areas still tend to burst crackers that cause air and noise pollution. Mumbai-based NGO Awaaz Foundation conducted a series of tests on various fire-crackers a few days ago. Shockingly, the tests reveal that most crackers available in the market are way noisier beyond permitted levels.
“It should be the responsibility of each person, especially youngsters to curb pollution level. Also, strong actions should be taken on firecracker manufacturers who violate norms. The only positive side is the increased awareness and the fact that a few people are averse to bursting fire-crackers,” says Sumaira Abdulali, activist from Awaaz Foundation, who has also launched a page ‘Citizens’ Noise Map’ in one of the social networking sites where citizens can place pictures and information about the areas where people are violating the norms, on the basis of which the members of the foundation will register complains to nearby police stations.
EFFECTS OF POLLUTION
Most of the crackers today contain several toxic chemicals such as potassium nitrate, carbon, sulphur, aluminium powder, barium nitrate and many other products which are harmful to health.
People suffering from Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and other respiratory ailments, consider the festival as a nightmare as they have to live on the support of inhalers and nebulizers for the entire Diwali week. “Along with the breathing and asthmatic problems, High Blood Pressure and Hypertension are the common cases during the festival. I advice people suffering from these ailments to close all the windows of your house during evenings to avoid the smoke to come in, or else wear masks or cover your nose with thick cloth if you really wish to step out in the evenings,” says Dr Vijay Singh, a local general practitioner.
The festival certainly brings the excitement and smile on everyone’s face, but it also takes a toll of health of many individuals.
LIST OF PRECAUTIONS THAT ASTHMATICS NEED TO FOLLOW DURING DIWALI Stay away from people bursting crackers Close all the windows of your house and do not let the smoke to come in. Celebrate the festival with your family and friends in house. Keep the inhalers and other medicines near you. If not relieved from your regular medicines, contact your doctor immediately. Wear N95 masks (recommended by doctor) if want to step out in the evenings.
Courtesy:
RASHMI SANZGIRI
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/02&PageLabel=61&EntityId=Ar06000&ViewMode=HTML
Diwali is the most fun-filled festival of all. Shopping, meeting family and friends, exchanging gifts is an integral part of this festival. However, for many the celebration is incomplete without the bursting of crackers, making the festival synonymous with noise and air pollution in the city.
Hence, many social organisations have come together in order to curb pollution in the city this Diwali. “Every year, we conduct campaigns in schools and other education institutes and spread the awareness against the use of firecrackers. This year, as well, we have organised awareness campaign in around 110 schools of Mumbai, informing students how it is dangerous for our environment, health, for animals, and what kind of measures should we take to reduce the pollution. These children then further help us in spreading the word,” says Kiran Madan from NGO called Sanskar India.
According to the NGO, more than 5000 children till date has taken a pledge of not bursting crackers. Nevertheless, the level of pollution did not see any drastic change over the years. People in many areas still tend to burst crackers that cause air and noise pollution. Mumbai-based NGO Awaaz Foundation conducted a series of tests on various fire-crackers a few days ago. Shockingly, the tests reveal that most crackers available in the market are way noisier beyond permitted levels.
“It should be the responsibility of each person, especially youngsters to curb pollution level. Also, strong actions should be taken on firecracker manufacturers who violate norms. The only positive side is the increased awareness and the fact that a few people are averse to bursting fire-crackers,” says Sumaira Abdulali, activist from Awaaz Foundation, who has also launched a page ‘Citizens’ Noise Map’ in one of the social networking sites where citizens can place pictures and information about the areas where people are violating the norms, on the basis of which the members of the foundation will register complains to nearby police stations.
EFFECTS OF POLLUTION
Most of the crackers today contain several toxic chemicals such as potassium nitrate, carbon, sulphur, aluminium powder, barium nitrate and many other products which are harmful to health.
People suffering from Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and other respiratory ailments, consider the festival as a nightmare as they have to live on the support of inhalers and nebulizers for the entire Diwali week. “Along with the breathing and asthmatic problems, High Blood Pressure and Hypertension are the common cases during the festival. I advice people suffering from these ailments to close all the windows of your house during evenings to avoid the smoke to come in, or else wear masks or cover your nose with thick cloth if you really wish to step out in the evenings,” says Dr Vijay Singh, a local general practitioner.
The festival certainly brings the excitement and smile on everyone’s face, but it also takes a toll of health of many individuals.
LIST OF PRECAUTIONS THAT ASTHMATICS NEED TO FOLLOW DURING DIWALI Stay away from people bursting crackers Close all the windows of your house and do not let the smoke to come in. Celebrate the festival with your family and friends in house. Keep the inhalers and other medicines near you. If not relieved from your regular medicines, contact your doctor immediately. Wear N95 masks (recommended by doctor) if want to step out in the evenings.
Courtesy:
RASHMI SANZGIRI
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/02&PageLabel=61&EntityId=Ar06000&ViewMode=HTML
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