Carbide-based firecrackers have caused sharp rise in blinding eye injuries: Society of Eye Doctors
New Delhi, Oct 24 (BVI) Carbide-based and improvised explosive firecrackers that caused a sharp rise in blinding eye injuries, particularly among children, this festive season, according to the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), which has issued an urgent appeal to the Central and State Governments and District Authorities for an immediate ban on these.
AIOS, which claims to be the world’s largest professional society of eye specialists, said these crude “carbide bombs” or “carbide guns” are chemical explosives capable of causing permanent blindness, disfigurement, and disability.
In a statement issued here, it demanded a nationwide crackdown, FIRs against manufacturers and sellers, and disruption of the supply chain for calcium carbide and related materials.
The Society also called for an intensive public awareness campaign and hospital emergency preparedness to prevent further ocular injuries.
The statement said these dangerous “carbide bombs” are homemade chemical explosives, not traditional crackers, and they can cause irreversible burns and blindness, especially in children.
The AIOS, representing over 28,000 eye specialists across India, said Ophthalmologists and hospitals across several states have reported a surge of severe ocular burns and trauma, particularly among children, caused by so-called “carbide bombs” or “carbide guns” — crude explosive devices made from calcium carbide and water that release explosive acetylene gas.
These homemade firecrackers cause:
- Blinding chemical and thermal burns
- Corneal destruction and irreversible vision loss
- Permanent disfigurement and disability
“The rise in these preventable, blinding injuries is alarming and unacceptable. We urge the Government to act decisively and immediately to save vision and lives,” the statement quoted Dr. Partha Biswas, President of AIOS.
“Let this season of light not become a season of darkness. Ban carbide firecrackers now. Protect every eye, every child,” said Dr. Jeevan Singh Titiyal, Presiden-elect of AIOS.
“Every child’s eye is precious. These crude explosive devices are destroying vision and lives. We must act now to protect children and prevent lifelong suffering from blindness,” said the statement quoting Dr. Mohan Rajan, Vice President of AIOS.
“AIOS calls on authorities, schools, and parents to ban carbide firecrackers and raise awareness. Together, we can ensure the festival of lights does not turn into a season of darkness,” said Dr. Santosh G. Honavar, Honorary Secretary, AIOS.
“Carbide and improvised firecrackers are not mere festive hazards—they are chemical explosives causing permanent blindness. Immediate government intervention is crucial to stop this preventable tragedy,” said Dr. Manoj C Mathur, Treasurer, AIOS.
With Chhath Puja and other festivities approaching, continued use of such hazardous devices could lead to another wave of preventable blindness and severe facial injuries, it said.
AIOS Demands Immediate Government Action
- Nationwide Ban and Crackdown
- Immediate ban on manufacture, sale, transport, and use of carbide-based firecrackers.
- Ban can be enforced by the central and state governments and district administrations
- Enforce strict compliance through police, district administrations, and pollution control authorities.
- Public Awareness Campaign
- High-visibility campaigns on TV, radio, print, digital, and social media.
- Special focus on schools and parental education to prevent children from experimenting with these devices.
- Emergency Hospital Preparedness
- Maintain 24-hour ophthalmic emergency readiness.
- Ensure adequate supplies for eye irrigation, surgical repair, and trauma management.
- School and Community Vigilance
- Strict prohibition of device use by children and youth.
- Report possession or use to local authorities.
- Legal Action and Supply Chain Disruption
- Register FIRs under explosives, consumer safety, and public health laws.
- Disrupt supply chain of calcium carbide and other component materials, both offline and online.(BVI)
