Barium is used in crackers to produce the green colour in fireworks. It also acts as a stabilising agent to give firecrackers a longer shelf-life. Besides barium, potassium nitrate, aluminium chips and powder too are used in firecrackers.
The apex court, however, questioned the Delhi Police on the sale and use of the crackers despite the ban.
Justice Yashwant Varma said the issue is already pending before the Supreme Court and observed that it is not appropriate for the High Court to take the matter.
A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi said there cannot be a total ban on firecrackers, and rather, there is a need to strengthen the mechanism against the use of banned chemical substances like barium salts.
The tribunal has also said that nationwide, the ban will also be applicable to cities and towns where the average ambient air quality in November last year was poor or worse.
