MP Govt turned 'blind eye' to 2-yr-old ICMR warning on sale of carbide guns

Reports of around 300 eye injuries in Bhopal caused by the use of carbide guns this Diwali have brought the focus back to a 2023 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report, which had warned that calcium-carbide–related ocular injuries can lead to significant visual morbidity in young adults and recommended restrictions on the unlicensed sale of such guns and their raw materials.

‘Overlooking’ the warning, Madhya Pradesh authorities have allowed unregulated sales to continue, resulting in the complete loss of vision of at least 30 persons so far.

In India, calcium carbide is commonly used in locally made PVC “scare” guns that are intended to drive wild animals away from farms and protect livestock and crops.

Social media is full of DIY (do it yourself) videos showing how to build these devices. Typically, the guns are assembled from plastic pipes, a household gas lighter and calcium carbide. They have a firing end to expel gas and flame, and a closed rear end containing a spark mechanism and a valve to add carbide and water.

The ICMR study describes a patient who got injured while operating a home-made gun: “One patient made the gun at home, watching freely available online videos. The gun worked as expected for the first few times. Then it malfunctioned, prompting the user to peep inside to visualise the sparking either through the front opening of the barrel or by opening the carbide loading valve door at the rear end. Accidentally, the acetylene gas in the barrel ignited as a blast, and the spraying of residual calcium hydroxide resulted in ocular injury.”

The ICMR study noted that ocular injuries linked to carbide guns were largely the result of poor awareness of associated risks, improper handling and the low design quality or unpredictable functioning of these devices.

“The ease of access for youngsters to cheap, readymade guns and low-cost raw materials contributed to the risk. Since global authorities emphasise educating stakeholders to prevent unintentional injuries, public awareness should be raised about the potential hazards of carbide gun use. Restrictions should be imposed on the widespread unlicensed sale of calcium carbide guns and raw materials — at least for children — and the manufacture of carbide toy guns should follow strict quality control guidelines,” the study stated.

On Friday, the Bhopal district administration issued a prohibitory order banning the use of carbide guns. According to the Madhya Pradesh Government’s directive, no person, organisation, or trader is allowed to manufacture, store, sell, or purchase prohibited firecrackers, fireworks, or illegally modified firecrackers (carbide guns) that generate excessive noise by filling explosive materials in iron, steel, or PVC pipes.