Department officials said the CDs are being offered to encourage people not to use firecrackers during the festive season, noting that besides being noisy and polluting the air, firecrackers can cause injuries and fires.

The lighting of firecrackers traditionally signifies a joyous occasion in Chinese culture and has become an integral aspect of the Lunar New Year celebrations. The deafening sound of firecrackers exploding is also thought by many to scare away evil spirits.

To provide people with an alternative, the department made audio files of firecracker sounds available on its Web site prior to last year's Chinese New Year holidays.

Copies of the CD can be picked up for free at the department's main office in Xinyi District, the officials said, adding that the audio file is still available on the department's Web site at http://ivyl.epa.gov.tw/noise/DD/D 01.htm.