Stop pooram fireworks: Rajan Gurukkal

He says it exceed carrying capacity of both health and environment

“It is unfortunate that the organisers of Thrissur Pooram have refused to do away with the fireworks that normally produce noise exceeding 140 decibels despite reducing the event to the basic rituals in view of the pandemic situation,” Rajan Gurukkal P.M., historian and Vice Chairman of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, has said. “The standard noise level set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the ambient environment is 60 decibels during daytime and 50 decibels during night to avert consequences of atmospheric contamination, aerosol pollution, and health hazards derived from crackers made up of harmful chemicals producing poisonous gases when burnt,” he told The Hindu on Thursday. Reminding that the World Health Organization has warned that noise pollution exceeding 85 decibels can have adverse health impacts, Prof. Gurukkal said it could damage hearing, aggravate cardiovascular disorders, induce heart attack, upset respiratory rhythm, seriously impact pregnant women, disturb the nervous system, and cause cognitive impairment in children. “Its consequence is severe in patients of chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, pneumonia and laryngitis,” he said.