The reason simply is that we do not consider that health is of any concern. It is still not on the public agenda. Therefore, it becomes easy, too easy, for the vested interests to ensure that any efforts to curtail pollution are stymied and killed. Take the case of firecrackers. There is a huge and equally vocal lobby operating to support a dirty and noxious industry. The lobby works overtime, first to ensure that the regulations for noise levels is diluted, then to ensure that the regulations are toothless. Not worth the paper they are written on because there is no implementation.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) notified noise standards for firecrackers way back in 1999 after an expert committee, headed by M L Munjal of the Indian Institute of Science examined the issue.

It commissioned the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), which on study found that people within two metres of the explosion are in danger of "definite risk hearing loss" and more susceptible populations could face the risk of hearing damage as well. NPL suggested a limit of 115 dB for firecrackers. Another study by the Defence Institute of Physiological and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), exposed children and adults to continuous – 30 minutes – noise from firecrackers at a distance of 6 metres. Each person, directly after this exposure was taken to a sound attenuated room to record the change made to the auditory thresholds. This study concluded that 30 minutes exposure to cracker noise – between 137 to 150 dB from a distance of six metres raised the auditory threshold in adults by 13.3 dB and in children by 11.3 dB. The results showed a temporary hearing loss, recovered within two hours.

On scrutiny of this information and worldwide data, the committee set regulations that the manufacture, sale or use of firecrackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB at four metres from the point of bursting is prohibited. The department of explosives (DoE), under the ministry of industry and commerce was made the implementing agency for the rules. This is where the matter has stopped. Literally.

Firecracker associations want the level amended. They argue that the DIPAS study only suggested "temporary" loss of hearing so it is clear that they can make louder crackers and suggest ranges of 140 dB and higher as "safe". They are lobbying furiously and using their compliant members of parliament to push and prod for modification.

In any case, with no enforcement worth its name, the law is more or less dead. CPCB says it has written to the DoE many times asking for action to ensure compliance. But with no response. In September 2000, the Delhi High Court had ordered that the manufacturers print the noise levels on the wrappers. But even this has not been done. The random checks done by CPCB in March of this year, found many brands exceeding the noise regulations. It wrote to DoE asking for action. Nothing. As yet, no testing procedures have been specified, given the manufacturers a free hand.

Then, there is the issue of monitoring noise levels in a locality to ensure that the ambient noise levels are not breached. Levels are monitored at stations, which record the levels based on the distance the crackers are burst. So, if the monitoring station is far away from the point of explosion, the noise impacts on residents will never be recorded.

This is about noise. In the case of air pollution, the regulations do not exist. Nothing has yet been done to monitor or to regulate the toxins — from metallic to gaseous -- from firecrackers. We know that this year in Delhi, much like last year, total and respirable particulate emission jumped to a dangerous high on Diwali night. In the residential colony of Ashok Vihar, RSPM emissions were over 1082 microgram per cubic metre (µg/cum), up from 421 (µg/cum) the night before. The health impact of this acute exposure could be deadly for the susceptible — children, old, asthmatic, heart patients. Perhaps even for others. But who cares?

It is nobody’s case that Diwali should not be celebrated. It should. But surely, given the already high levels of exposure and contamination of our environment, we will have to ensure that Diwali nights are not deadly for some. This means paying attention to regulation and enforcement. But to do this, we will have to first decide if good health is also part of the wealth that we pray for each Diwali night.

As I have said before in this column, public health must have an important political constituency. It must have a voice. A powerful voice of reason. Otherwise, we will continue to become cracker deaf and pollution dumb. A gruesome future.