MPCB bursts loud crackers

ufffd but only to check if they meet prescribed noise levels

This Diwali, you may hear less of the noise and see more of the light. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) conducted a test yesterday on Diwali firecrackers yesterday.

The tests, done at 5 pm on the RCF Ground, Chembur, involved 10 types of single firecrackers and six types of series firecrackers. Officials were able to find out the crackers that crossed the noise limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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Testing times: MPCB officialsu00a0test firecrackers at the RCF Ground in Chembur yesterday; (inset) an officialu00a0finds the noise too much to handle. Pics/Sameer Markande

Speaking to MiD DAY, V M Motghare, MPCB managing director, said, “We finished conducting the test yesterday and found out the firecrackers that violate the norms.”

Sumaira Abdulali, president, Awaaz Foundation, an NGO that works for environmental protection, said, “I am happy that the testing was conducted three weeks prior to the festival, as it will that the process is completes.

We have enough time to take action against those manufacturing firecrackers exceeding the prescribed noise levels. I am hoping that the city police takes action soon and makes this testing a success.”

After the tests, the MPCB will send a list of the brands in violation of noise-limiting guidelines to the commissioner of police, the state environment ministry, and the chief controller of explosives. It is up to the police to ban the sale of the crackers that breach norms.

Officials will conduct a retest on October 31 to ensure that the city has a more eco-friendly Diwali. “We will be doing the test again, since not all kinds of fireworks have arrived in the market,” Motghare added. u00a0

DON’T BUY THESE!
The following brands cross the prescribed noise levels.
>> Singles (WHO prescribed limit – 125 dB):u00a0
Volcano Bomb (Shama Fireworks) – 127.4 dB
>>u00a0Series fireworks (WHO-prescribed limit – 105 dB):u00a0
1000 Shells (The Corporation Fireworks) – 118.9 dB
Two Royal Jaguars (Nayagi Fireworks) – 117.1 dB
Chak De India 5000 series (Coronation Fireworks) – 125.3 dB
5000 Series (KRS Fireworks) – 114 dB

125 dB
Prescribed noise level for single firecrackers

105 dB
Prescribed noise level for series firecrackersu00a0

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