Be careful of loud crackers in Diwali

Fire crackers during Diwali is common and has become a way of culture in India. The research conducted by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and Awaaz Foundation found that crackers breached sound limits, with serial crackers being the worst. Loud crackers 'cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbance, heart disease, and mental illness'. Most of the fire crackers sold in India accede the dB level. 'A cracker that makes noise exceeding 125 dB at 5 meters from the spot of bursting should be banned' says Noise Pollution Control Board and endorsed by the Union Environment Ministry of India. Nepal government has put restrictions on the use of fire crackers during Diwali not because of these health hazards but other serious physical casualties and possible misuse by terrorists.