Question : Monitoring of Pollution

(a) whether the Central Pollution Control Board had set up monitoring stations in various locations in Chennai to monitor pollution levels during Deepavali on 27th October 2019;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the numbers and locations of the monitoring stations;
(c) whether monitoring stations recorded spike in pollution levels at various locations and if so, the details of concentration of Particulate Matter 2.5 levels at the monitored locations;
(d) whether the data reveal that Green cracker initiative has not been successfully implemented and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the remedial measures contemplated to ensure use of green crackers so that neither the environmental pollution exceeds prescribed level nor the interests of domestic cracker industry are affected?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)


(a)to(c)As per the directions from Central Pollution Control Board for special monitoring on the occasion of Deepawali, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board conducted ambient air quality monitoring at four locations in Chennai (Triplicane, Besant Nagar, Sowcarpet & T. Nagar) apart from regular monitoring stations (CAAQMS).The PM2.5 concentration reported on Deepawali day (October 27, 2019) is within standard in three locations.

(d)& (e) Ministry in consultation with Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Petroleum and Safety Organisation (PESO) has implemented Green cracker initiative successfully. The steps taken for implementation of green crackers inter alia include (i) definition and formulation of green fire crackers (including new and improved formulations) as proposed by CSIR-NEERI, (ii) research & development of new and improved formulations for green crackers (for popular brands of light and sound emitting crackers), (iii) stakeholders consultations and demonstration to firework manufacturers, PESO and CPCB, (iv) establishing green crackers vis-a vis conventional crackers etc. (v) establishment of emission testing facility for firecrackers, (vi) setting up raw materials characterization facility to ensure usage of raw materials/chemicals of acceptable quality (vii) approval and final authorization by PESO for manufacturers to manufacture green crackers. etc.

Green crackers are developed using less harmful raw materials and additives, to reduce particulate emissions by 20–30 per cent, while producing the same level of light and sound effects of traditional fireworks. Green crackers do not contain harmful chemicals such as lithium, arsenic, barium and lead. The PESO has accorded approvals to fireworks manufacturers for green crackers formulation as per the guidelines of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The new and improved crackers have been demonstrated to cracker manufacturers and their associations in order to support their interest.

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