Diwali 2026: Green crackers not harmless; can trigger asthma, heart complications, says doctors

Green crackers may release fewer pollutants than conventional ones but they are far from harmless say doctors warning that even reduced emissions can trigger asthma attacks worsen chronic lung diseases and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications amid Delhis already high pollution levelsWith the Supreme Court permitting the bursting of certified green crackers in DelhiNCR on November 7 and 8 doctors have cautioned against treating them as a safe alternative particularly for children senior citizens pregnant women and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditionsDr Ankit Singhal senior consultant respiratory medicine Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute said green crackers were designed to reduce particulate matter emissions by approximately 30 per cent compared to conventional firecrackers and limit the use of certain harmful chemicalsHowever they still release PM25 and PM10 particles along with toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide which could cause irritation in the respiratory tract trigger asthma attacks worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD and aggravate existing heart and lung conditions he saidSinghal said children elderly people pregnant women and those with respiratory illnesses are particularly vulnerable as even shortterm exposure to elevated pollution levels could affect their healthDr Ujjawal Parakh senior consultant chest medicine Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said the reduction in emissions should not be interpreted as a corresponding reduction in health risksA 30 per cent reduction doesnt mean 30 per cent less harmful or 30 per cent safer for health It is just an emission criterion and has nothing to do with the effect on health he saidParakh said the pollutant particles released by green firecrackers could cause irritation in the nasal canal throat and upper airways increase sputum production and worsen respiratory conditions Such exposure could also trigger oxidative stress affect blood pressure and increase susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias and coronary eventsThe impact of poor air quality is also being seen among people without any history of respiratory illnesses Dr Nikhil Modi senior consultant respiratory medicine Indraprastha Apollo Hospital cited the case of a 50yearold man with a history of asthma who developed pneumonia and a drop in oxygen levels after returning to Delhi few weeks agoHis wife and son neither of whom had a history of asthma also developed respiratory symptoms including throat irritation congestion and breathing difficulties While the man required medical attention the other two family members are receiving outpatient treatment but continue to experience symptoms Neither the wife nor the son developed a fever while the man was the only one in the family to report one Modi saidThe case highlights how poor air quality can affect different members of the same family including those without preexisting respiratory conditions he saidDr Arun Chowdary Kotaru director and head of pulmonology at FMRI Gurugram said exposure to green crackers could cause coughing throat discomfort breathlessness and wheezing while fine particles could penetrate deep into the lungs and contribute to inflammationHe said children elderly people and individuals with preexisting respiratory or cardiac conditions were particularly vulnerable and advised people to minimise firecracker use avoid areas where bursting takes place and ensure that vulnerable individuals stay indoors with windows closed during peak exposure hoursHighlighting the additional challenges posed by Delhis winter conditions Dr Sandeep Nayar principal director and head of the Centre for Chest and Respiratory Diseases at BLKMax Hospital said high baseline concentrations of PM25 and PM10 low wind speeds and temperature inversion restrict dispersion of pollutants allowing them to accumulate close to the groundHe said fine particles could penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream triggering oxidative stress and inflammation and potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular complicationsFor people with asthma and COPD exposure could also trigger acute bronchospasm wheezing and worsening of respiratory symptoms Nayar saidThe Supreme Court in its interim order on Monday permitted bursting of only green firecrackers certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial ResearchNational Environmental Engineering Research Institute CSIRNEERI and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESO in DelhiNCR on November 7 and 8It also prohibited bursting of firecrackers within a 300metre radius of hospitals oldage homes and other notified silence zones directing strict compliance with the restrictionsThe bench said festival celebrations must not become a health hazard for others particularly those admitted to hospitalsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability 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