Drive to assess impact of crackers during Diwali

Shimla, September 21

The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board will conduct a special monitoring drive to assess the impact of bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.

A spokesman for the Board today said directions had been issued to all regional officials and laboratory in charges of the Board to conduct an extensive ambient air quality monitoring drive from October 20 to November 3.

He said during the drive, apart from general parameters like oxides of sulphur, nitrogen, carbon monoxide and ammonia, additional parameters like lead, nickel, arsenic, barium, iron and strontium would also be monitored.

He said all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police had been directed to ensure that no firecrackers were allowed in the 100-m vicinity of the silence zone, such as hospitals, educational institutions, courts etc. Sale and use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dBA is also prohibited. He said the Board had urged the Department of Education to make children aware of the harmful effects of the air and noise pollution caused due to bursting of firecrackers and encourage them to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali. — TNS