Relevance: GS III (Science & Technology, Environment) & GS II (Governance) | Source: The Hindu

1. The Core Issue: The Human and Environmental Cost

The massive demand to rethink traditional fireworks has been triggered by recent tragedies in Kerala (specifically around the Thrissur Pooram festival):

• Industrial Disasters: In April 2026, a tragic fire at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode killed 13 people, exposing the deadly risks of traditional gunpowder explosive manufacturing.
• Public and Animal Safety: The intense noise of fireworks recently disoriented a parading festival elephant, causing it to run amok and injure 42 people.
• Health Hazards: The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks noise pollution as the third most dangerous environmental threat to human health. High decibels near hospitals severely affect infant brain development in neonatal units.

2. The Administrative Reality (Rules vs. Ground Reality)

• The Legal Limit: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) strictly bans firecrackers that generate noise above 125 decibels (dB) at a 4-meter distance.
• The Ground Reality: Data shows that recent festivals peaked at 122.4 dB, dangerously close to the absolute legal cap. This is far above the safe ambient norms of 40-50 dB mandated for “silence zones” like hospitals and schools.

3. The Scientific Solution: “Cold Spark” Technology

To reduce accidents and pollution, experts are pushing for Cold Sparkulars (or “Cold Anars”).

• The Materials: Instead of explosive gunpowder, it uses highly controlled fine metal powders of titanium and zirconium.
• How it Works: The device acts like a specialized gun. A heater warms the alloy powder, and a fan blows it out into the air. When the hot powder hits the oxygen, it glows brilliantly, mimicking a traditional sparkler.
• The Safety Advantage: Traditional sparklers burn dangerously hot at 1,200 °C, causing severe burns. Cold spark technology operates at a safe 60-100 °C, producing zero explosive blasts, no heavy smoke, and no high-decibel noise.

4. Challenges in Adoption

Despite being safe and eco-friendly, the administration faces two hurdles in scaling this technology:

• High Cost: A single ‘cold anar’ costs around ₹400, making large-scale use very expensive.
• Import Dependency: Currently, India heavily relies on importing these devices from China. To make this transition successful, India must indigenize the manufacturing of these nano-powders under the “Make in India” initiative.

The Trap

• The “Green Cracker” Trap: UPSC frequently confuses alternative technologies. An exam statement might claim, “CSIR-NEERI developed Green Crackers, which completely eliminate noise and combustion by using cold spark titanium technology.” Incorrect. Green Crackers (SWAS, STAR, SAFAL) still use traditional combustion and make noise; they just eliminate Barium Nitrate to reduce smoke by 30%. Cold Spark is a completely different, non-explosive, electronic technology.

UPSC Value Box

Key Concept / Body	Simple Meaning
PESO	Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. The nodal Central agency that regulates the manufacture, storage, and transport of explosives and fireworks under the Explosives Act, 1884.
CSIR-NEERI	The scientific body responsible for formulating “Green Crackers” in India to reduce particulate matter emissions by tweaking traditional chemical formulas.
Article 21 vs. Article 25	The Supreme Court has ruled that the Right to Life and a clean environment (Article 21) always overrides the Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25) when it comes to bursting hazardous fireworks.

With reference to the regulation of fireworks and related environmental technologies in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
2. “Cold Spark” technology utilizes fine powders of titanium and zirconium to create light without explosive combustion or high-decibel noise.
3. “Green Crackers” developed by CSIR-NEERI completely eliminate the use of Barium nitrate to reduce particulate matter emissions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)