AMN
The Supreme Court today imposed a ban on the use of five harmful metals including lead and mercury in firecrackers as they cause enormous air pollution.
A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur prohibited use of lithium, mercury, arsenic, antimony, lead metals which are used in the manufacturing of firecrackers.
The order came after the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Member Secretary told the top court that standards on air pollution caused by the bursting of firecrackers are yet to be laid down and the exercise would be completed by September 15.
It is the responsibility of the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) to ensure compliance particularly in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu.
The bench said that Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board and Dy Chief Controller of Explosive, Sivakasi should remain present on August 23, the next date of hearing.