The NGO Awaaz Foundation which conducted a chemical testing of firecrackers available in the local markets has found that many of these crackers comprise chemical contents that have been banned by the Supreme Court. The contents of the firecrackers tested also included barium, which is said to be hazardous to health. Of the 18 samples of various firecrackers tested, 13 were found to be having barium. Lead was found in one of the samples, while traces of arsenic were seen in two samples; six samples contained chlorine and all 18 contained sulphur.

Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of NGO Awaaz Foundation, has written to the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar requesting them to consider the “serious hazard” to human health indicated by the test result of chemicals contained in the firecrackers. “There is a blanket ban on firecrackers containing barium, however, some manufacturers have been selling it without mentioning it on the packages. The contents can only be verified through chemical analysis,” Awaaz Foundation stated.