Effect of Fireworks and related industries on Indian traditional medicinal plants around Anaikuttam - A quantification based case study of Alkaline earth metals (Ba2+, Sr2+, Mg2+) and Titanium

Ganeshwari et al.,

Sivakasi | Fireworks

Vol: 11; Iss. 3; Mar. 25 | ISSN: 2454-5422

Sivakasi, often branded as “Little Japan” due to its year-round manufacturing of matchboxes, firecrackers, and printing materials, confronts environmental challenges. The matchbox and fireworks industries rely heavily on minerals and metals to produce colorful products. Barium (Ba²⁺), Strontium (Sr²⁺), Copper (Cu²⁺), and combinations of Titanium (Ti⁴⁺), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), and sodium salts (Na²⁺) contribute to the vibrant colors in firecrackers. However, the release of these metal ions as particulates during testing and use pollutes the air, soil, and crops. Despite Sivakasi’s limited agricultural production, various roadside and Indian traditional medicinal plants have grown around these industries. Likewise, Anaikuttam, a village has fireworks and match box industries surrounded by many medicinal plants.  Among the traditional medicinal plants, Phillanthus niruri L. in Tamil (Keela nelli) has been checked to accumulate significant amounts of heavy metals, including Ba²⁺, Fe²⁺, Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Cu²⁺, and Mn²⁺ from the cracker industries.  The Raman spectra of the samples confirm that the Keelanelli medicinal plant strongly absorbs Ba, Sr, Mg, and Ti ions in the vicinity of the Sivakasi cracker industry area.

Victor Athisayam, Department of Biotechnology, Sri Kaliswari College (Autonomous), Sivakasi, Tamilnadu, India