Evaluation and analysis of firecrackers noise: Measurement Uncertainty, legal noise regulations and noise induced hearing loss

Abstract The paper reports the appraisal and analysis of impulsive noise emissions and associated measurement uncertainty for various firecrackers used commonly in Indian scenarios and indigenously made green crackers developed to reduce air emissions. The study is the first study on firecrackers noise in India on evaluation, analysis, and measurement uncertainty in noise emissions of green firecrackers that have now replaced the commercial crackers as per the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India. The study analyzes the impact of fireworks noise on ambient noise scenarios and presents a perspective view of the legal noise regulations for the green crackers. The frequency-domain analysis, mathematical model correlating the impulsive noise with other time-averaged noise indicators and damage risk criteria, and noise-induced hearing loss due to cracker’s noise are analyzed. Finally, the study recommends some technical aspects on the legal noise regulations in India for firecrackers noise that shall be crucial for reducing the environmental noise pollution and associated health hazards.