Ahead of Thrissur Pooram in Kerala, Rajan Gurukkal calls for ban on high-decibel fireworks citing health risks, pollution

With less than a week remaining for the famed Thrissur Pooram in Kerala, eminent social scientist Rajan Gurukkal has raised serious concerns regarding the continued use of high-decibel fireworks.

Warning of the impacts on air pollution, acoustic stress and public health, the academic also highlighted the risks of conducting the event in the region with a high concentration of hospitals having labour wards and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).