Bhubaneswar: Environment experts and activists Tuesday welcomed the decision of the state government to ban sale and use of firecrackers from November 10 to 30.
As per survey by some researchers recently, increased particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels in the air due to bursting of firecrackers can worsen Covid-19 crisis.
This is particularly important in the context of the upcoming Deepavali celebrations, when air quality goes for a toss.
According to environment activist Shweta Agrawal, “Ideally, crackers should be banned during the period from Deepavali to New Year’s Day. In 2019, air pollution caused 6.67 million deaths worldwide. Medical experts have already issued the warning that “winters are going to be tough for us, rising air pollution combined with coronavirus infection and lung complications can possibly lead to serious consequences.”
This year has already been very difficult for all, now people have to make a right choice how they really want to celebrate the festivals, she added.
Activist Sudarshan Chhotoray said, “Yes, it is a good decision use of crackers will jeopardise public health. It’s more important now during coronavirus pandemic to keep away from these chemical fires as smoke releasing from these crackers would spread infections further.”
Water conservation expert Ranjan Panda said, “Pollution, cold and Covid-19 could be a deadly mix. We have seen how festivities can make people irresponsible to a large extent. It is said that Covid-19 situation in Kerala worsened due to Onam celebrations. The same in West Bengal is attributed to Dussehra. If we don’t learn our lessons right, we will end up in a dangerous zone.”
Environment scientist Jaya Krushna Panigrahi said, “In this scenario, when the whole world is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, can we afford to release such toxic gases to atmosphere and inhale these into our lungs putting our health further into jeopardy? We need to apply our wisdom and stop the use of crackers at least for this year.”