Karnataka may ban crackers; BS Yediyurappa will take final call

BENGALURU: The state government is mulling a ban on firecrackers this Deepavali, worried over the deleterious impact it may have on Covid-19 patients. Disclosing that a ban is under consideration, state health minister K Sudhakar told TOI: “But the final decision will be taken after discussions with the chief minister.”

Rajasthan has banned crackers this year following concerns over their impact on the health of Covid-19 patients while Delhi has allowed only “green firecrackers” which are less polluting.

Doctors have raised concerns over the possible effect of smoke emanating from bursting of crackers on patients in home isolation. Covid-19 pneumonia can worsen with the air pollution caused by bursting of crackers, they point out.

Avoid bursting crackers this Diwali: Doc

Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, consultant for Interventional Pulmonology at Aster CMI Hospital, said Covid, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients already have swollen and very sensitive lungs and hence firecracker smoke can affect their lungs further. “In such a scenario, people should refrain from bursting crackers this year as it can also generate suspended particulate matter (SPM) which can increase transmission of Covid-19 virus,” he added.

When there are noxious gases around, patients suffering from or having recovered from Covid will be at risk, Dr Vasunethra Kasargod, consultant chest physician at Vikram Hospital, said. “Equally vulnerable are those with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). They may develop reactive airway disease because of the inhalation of cracker fumes. Those recovering from Covid-19 and SARI and who are on home oxygen or those who have bronchitis with Covid have to be careful,” he said.

Cracker fumes can exacerbate asthma. Patients must be regular with their inhalers which imparts strength to the lungs, he said. The doctor also suggested that vulnerable people wear masks at home when firecrackers are being burst outside, so as to reduce exposure.

“There are fumes which have too fine particles and can traverse through a cloth mask as well. But wearing a mask will help to some extent. It is certainly better than not wearing it,” he said.







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