Not all firecrackers banned, only those with barium salts are prohibited: Supreme Court

Oct. 29: With Diwali knocking on the doors, the Supreme Court on Friday said that there was no total ban on use of firecrackers, but only those crackers that are harmful to the health of the citizens are prohibited. A Bench led by Justices MR Shah, however, said no authority can be permitted to violate its directions and allow banned firecrackers under the guise of celebration. The apex court stated that only fireworks containing Barium salts were prohibited.

“We are not against any particular community. We are not against any particular festival or celebration. But we can’t permit anyone to play with the right to life of others in the guise of celebration. We want to send across a strong message that we are here for the protection of fundamental rights of citizens,” Supreme Court said.

The top court directed all the states/ Union Territories to give due publicity through electronic/ print media and local cable services to make the people aware of the directions issued by the court on the manufacture, use, and sale of banned firecrackers. It warned that any lapse on part of states, UTs and other agencies in implementing the ban shall be viewed very seriously.

The colors of most modern fireworks involve a few metal chlorides, which fluoresce strongly in the visible wavelengths: Barium chloride produces green; strontium chloride produces red; and copper chloride produces blue. Many of these quaint color-burning formulas are beloved by old-school pyrotechnicians. But the mixtures of mercurous chloride, arsenic sulfide, copper acetoarsenite, and barium chlorate are unstable, and they are toxic to human health and the environment.