Despite the ban on sale of crackers exceeding the permissible sound limit of 125dB,such crackers are easily available on the streets of Chandigarh. However,city doctors advise residents to stay away from these noisy crackers as they can be deafening. A study conducted by Central Pollution Control Board and National Physical Laboratory in Delhi shows that 95 per cent of the fire cracker samples exceed the prescribed sound limits. They are easily available in the markets of the city as there are no proper checks, said Dr Ravindra Khaiwal,Assistant Professor of Environment Health,School of Public Health,PGI. Khaiwal added,Fire crackers exceeding the permissible limit of 125db are standard classic bombs (138dB),Topaz bomb (138dB),Hydrogen bomb (135dB),Hydro Bomb (136dB),Bullet Bomb (136dB),Mini Bomb (133dB) and Parrot Bomb (134dB). According to doctors,there is a need to take strict steps to control sale of such crackers as the high level of noise they cause can lead to hearing impairment,hypertension and ischemic heart disease (reduced blood supply to heart),annoyance and sleep disturbance. Any sound over 120 decibel can be deafening. It has the potential to cause conducive deafness by bursting drums or sensorineural hearing loss, said Dr Rajesh Dhir,ENT,Government Multi-Speciality Hospital. Talking about infants and pregnant mothers,Dr Ritambhra Bhalla,consultant at Fortis hospital said,During Diwali,parents should take extra care of their babies. Infants should be kept away from crackers as loud noise and pollution are harmful for their health. She said that even pregnant women should take special care of themselves on Diwali. Women should stay away from crackers as poisonous fumes can adversely impact the baby in their womb, said Dr Ritambhra. Dr Naresh K Panda,Head of ENT department,PGI said,If a noise produced by a cracker is above 110 dB,then it can even lead to sudden hearing loss. In case of sudden blast of this range,the cochlear membrane ruptures and the person loses the ability to hear. Meanwhile,Dr Arpinder Gill,Max hospital said,The extent of damage depends on the intensity of the sound,how long it goes on for and how close you are to the source of noise. Fire crackers such as rockets,conical anar bombs and chakri bombs have sound levels that range between 130 and 160 decibels. They can impair your hearing if you get too close.
