Party poppers banned owing to health risks: CPCB directive

Party poppers, commonly used during celebrations and events, have been banned owing to the health risks it poses, including severe eye trauma and other facial injuries, a directive of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has said.

The CPCB, in its office memorandum, said that all such party poppers have been banned, except those which are using compressed air as the charge material and soft papers as streamers.

It said that party poppers are generally charged with an explosive which is activated by pulling a string and the charge blows some small colored plast glittering pieces out and other such materials and makes a popping sound.

It is observed that the plastic glittering material and the other charge chemicals, generally low intensity explosive, often composed of red-phosphorus, potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate, are harmful to human health, the memorandum said.

It further pointed out that they get mixed with food items and may also cause severe eye trauma other facial injuries.

"In view of the above, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken following decision: Henceforth, the use of all party poppers are banned except those which are using compressed air as the charge material and soft papers as streamers," the memorandum said.

"All the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees shall issue necessary directions in this regard to the concerned industries for the needful," it said.

Party poppers are generally listed as a novelty item or trick noise maker and are sold year-round in shops that sell party supplies.