Right to health of people is part of the fundamental Right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and deserves to be accorded greatest importance. The Constitution of India also guarantees the right to life to all persons under Article 21. Right to life includes right to live in a clean and healthy environment. Right to health is more important than averting any economic loss and top priority should be accorded to public health, observes our judiciary in their pronouncements. No source of pollution is to be ignored when it comes to the public health concerns especially during Covid-19 pandemic.
According to latest medical reports published, consultants & senior doctors have warned that the smoke of firecrackers is extremely deadly. During this period of Diwali we have to take all precautions and prevent the toxic poisonous fumes and smoke emanating from firecrackers to save all, including patients who have or are suffering from Corona.
The spread of the Coronavirus pandemic is accelerating. The spread of the infection around the world is gaining momentum. Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi has warned that the second wave of Covid-19 in India has already begun. The Director of AIIMS New Delhi has warned that due to any negligence and air pollution, corona infection will continue to rise. Attention should be paid to this situation, otherwise results may be frightening. Many countries have already imposed a second lockdown due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Corona victims have the most troubled breathing. It is related to the lungs and those who recover from it take considerable time to regain normalcy. In this time of pandemic, the toxic poisonous fumes emanating from the firecrackers will be very deadly for the patients who are struggling or have suffered from Corona.
Elderly persons, children and those on morbidities develop respiratory problems and the burning of firecrackers will release copious amount of harmful chemicals like nitrous oxide, sulphur di oxide, carbon mono oxide etc, that have a severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups.
Firecrackers increase the concentration of pollutants in the air. After firing, the fine dust particles get settled on the surrounding surfaces which are packed with chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead, cadmium, and pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. These harmful particles put health at stake.
Considering the potentially harmful consequences from burning of firecrackers amidst Covid-19 pandemic situation, the State government as a preventive step should immediately impose a complete ban on sale, use and possession of firecrackers and suitable and requisite directions be promptly passed to this effect prohibiting the sale and lighting of firecrackers.
The State should ensure that the administration and police implement strict enforcement and take strict action against defaulting persons as per the Disaster Management Act and relevant applicable laws.
