Lok Sabha Question No. 3163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Monitoring of Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION N0. 3163

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2019

## Monitoring of Pollution

## 3163. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (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?

## ANSWER

## 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 CSIRNEERI,  (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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