(The Noise standards for fire-crackers were notified by the Environment (Protection) (Second Amendment) Rules, 1999 vide G.S.R.682(E), dated the 5th October, 1999 and inserted as serial no. 89 of Schedule I of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. Subsequently these Rules were amended by the Environment (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2006 vide G.S.R. 640(E), dated the 16th October, 2006, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986).
- The manufacture, sale or use of fire-crackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C)pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting shall be prohibited.
- For individual fire-cracker constituting the series (joined firecrackers), the above mentioned limit be reduced by 5 log 10(N) dB, where N = number of crackers joined together.
The broad requirements for measurement of noise from fire-crackers shall be
- The measurements shall be made on a hard concrete surface of minimum 5 meter diameter or equivalent.
- The measurements shall be made in free field conditions i.e., there shall not be any reflecting surface up to 15 meter distance from the point of bursting.
- The measurement shall be made with an approved sound level meter.
The Department of Explosives shall ensure implementation of these standards.
The fire-crackers for the purpose of export shall be exempted from the sub paragraphs A, B and C above, subject to the compliance of the following conditions, namely:-
- The manufacturer shall have an export order;
- The fire-crackers shall conform to the level prescribed in the country to which it is exported;
- They shall have a different packing color code, and
- There shall be a declaration on the box “not for sale in India” or “only for export in other countries”.
Note: dB(AI): A-Weighted impulse Sound Pressure Level in decibel
dB(C)pk : C-Weighted Peak Sound Pressure Level in decibel.
-Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Chennai -32
