With Diwali round the corner, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and NGO Awaaz Foundation tested firecrackers for compliance with noise standards at the RCF ground in Chembur on Thursday evening. Around 16 types of firecrackers— available in the local markets —were tested and the noise levels were found to be within the permissible limits.

“In 2020, amid the fear of the second wave of COVID-19, firecrackers were banned by the BMC. In 2021, of the 30 types of crackers, we tested two that violated permissible noise limits, a huge reduction from previous years. Many of the green crackers did not have high percentages of chemical content. This year the noise levels were found to be within permissible limits for all 16 types of firecrackers that we tested. The chemical content of the batches we tested, needs further investigation to check for safety levels,” said Sumaira Abdulali, founder and convenor of Awaaz Foundation.