Breathing fire: Green crackers are less toxic, but will still choke you

NEW DELHI: After a gap of five years, the Supreme Court is likely to allow green crackers to be burst during Diwali , Gurupurab and Christmas. Though particulate matter emissions by green crackers are 20-30% less compared to conventional ones, experts argue that these are still harmful. They also warn that enforcing the use of only green crackers during celebrations may prove difficult. According to CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), green crackers are made with a reduction in the size of the shell, elimination of ash usage, reduced usage of raw materials in the compositions, and the use of additives as dust suppressants to reduce emissions. The institute said green crackers lead to a reduction in particulate matter and also cause a decline in nitrou