Firecrackers pass Maharashtra Pollution Control Board noise test

The Times of India , Saturday, October 11, 2014
Correspondent : TNN
AURANGABAD: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board's (MPCB) attempt to keep a check on noise pollution during Diwali in Aurangabad has shown a sign of improvement: only one type of firecracker was found to have slightly surpassed the permissible sound limit this year. The cracker had exceeded the limit considerably in 2013.

Officials of the MPCB and the police conducted a test of firecrackers on Friday at the Jhalani Ground, MIDC area in Chikalthana. Firecrackers of around 15 manufacturing units were tested, of which only one was found to have exceeded the permissible limit.

"Testing firecrackers helps determine whether they are legally permissible to be sold. The firecracker vendors have to get a license from the police department to sell these. The MPCB aims to take action against those found selling crackers that are above the prescribed decibel limit and will seek help from the city police. By conducting the tests in advance, the MPCB and police officials will get more than two weeks to take punitive action. As per the rules, a single firecracker should not exceed more than the 125-decibel limit, while the noise of a serial firecracker should not exceed 105 decibel," said Pravin Joshi, regional officer, MPCB, Aurangabad.

"On Friday, the MPCB conducted tests on firecrackers manufactured by around 15 units, of which one - the 2000 shells manufactured by Standard Fire Works, Sivakashi was found to cross the peak value of 105 against 109.1, while last year it had reached the 111 dB level. The manufacturer will be again asked to bring down the dB level of the firecracker," said Joshi.

"Volcano, Pukar bomb green, New Parrot Bomb, Soldier Bomb, Magic Fountain, Hydro Bomb green, bullet bomb, lavangi bomb, sheri anaar, flower pots, music party, Shanghai Nights and Magic Whip were among the firecrackers that were tested, which maintained the permissible dB," he said.

Explaining about the test, Joshi said, "The level of sound created by an individual firecracker is measured with the help of a hand-held machine that shows the amount of noise generated by the respective firecracker."

Joshi appealed citizens to abstain from fire-crackers that not only cause noise but air pollution as well; he appealed to people not to use the sheri anaar, since the cracker, while within the permissible noise limit, causes considerable air pollution. Joshi said that the MPCB would hire a vehicle to create awareness on firecrackers that cause noise and air pollution and their adverse effects on health. Pamphlets would be distributed across the city on Saturday and Sunday.

He urged citizens to burst crackers for one day, rather than indulging in this over all four days. "The best practise would be engage in community celebration, which would help curb the spread of pollution," Joshi said.

"The SC has also banned loudspeakers and bursting of firecrackers in residential areas between 10 pm and 6 am. Noise in residential areas should not exceed 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night. Only during commercial events that this rule is relaxed a bit, allowing 65 dB during the day and 60 dB at nght," he said

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/Firecrackers-pass-Maharashtra-Pollution-Control-Board-noise-test/articleshow/44779625.cms
 


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