Minimise air and sound pollution, have an environment-friendly Diwali: Doctors

Diwali is synonymous with lights. Bright lights in the night sky is credited mainly to the fire crackers that we burst during this time.
While the accompanying shine and sparkle certainly fill everyone’s spirit with joy, the same, if not handled with care can become tools of a mishap during such a festive occasion.
Improper handling of fireworks accounts for hundreds and more injuries every year.
However, without dulling the festive joy one can always opt for celebrating it in a healthy way.
Dr. Ranjan Kumar Das, Department of Respiratory Medicine, CK Birla Hospitals ? CMRI, explained, “Too much exposure to anything can be harmful.
Similarly, smoke inhalation leads to respiratory strains.
The particles released while burning the crackers are so small that these can cause spasmsand triggering asthma attack.
For asthma patients, who already have hyperactive airways, these pollutants further irritate the bronchial mucosa and swell up the inner linings of the respiratory tract.”
A cracker-less Diwali feels strange, even to those that might otherwise welcome the idea. Yet, the problems caused by crackers are real and significant. It is not just a question of discomfort or inconvenience.
The pollution caused by crackers has reached a stage where it has become a genuine health hazard. Diwali devoid of fireworks is considered incomplete but loud sounds can be a cause of partial impairments among infants and elderly people.
Air pollution is a complex issue, with many causes, Diwali night is a significant and very visible trigger for respiratory problems. And this is not an abstract statistical estimation, but a concrete reality experienced by all of us. The health problems caused by pollution is rising rapidly.
Diwali has predominantly become a festival of loud crackers, which create a high decibel noise of around 85 dB, which can damage the eardrums. Noise pollution can also affect your body in numerous other ways.
The bursting of crackers not only distracts you but also leads to psychological stress. The sudden loud noise can also increase your blood pressure and aggravate your heart beat. It also leads to difficulty in sleeping and mental health issues like anxiety and headache, not to mention increase in chances ofheart attacks. Dr. Saibal Das, consultant, Department of Otolaryngology, CK Birla Hospitals ? CMRI said, “A continuous exposure to loud noise during Diwali can lead to hearing loss.
Furthermore, if you are exposed to a sound intensity of around 100 dB for only 15 minutes, you experience temporary hearing loss. And if this continues for a day or two, you might be at high risk of permanent hearing loss.”
“You might feel a ringing or roaring sound after exposure to loud noise, which subsides within a few days.
However, you might suffer from tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ear, occasionally throughout your life. Also, extremely loud noise could lead to sudden hearing loss severe ear pain,” he added.
Big celebrations can sometimes bring big risks. Massive fireworks display delights the eye, for instance.
They also can fill the air with pollution that hangs around for hours or more. Hence, change is important, particularly when it comes to culture.
Sometimes, it might be better to work with tradition, and to find a way of expressing its intent differently, rather than fight it. It might be better to look for better, more exciting and health-friendly alternatives to Diwali crackers than trying to ban them. Even then, change will be slow, but it might feel less painful. (UNI)