Short-term variation in air quality associated with firework events: a case study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Air Quality Monitoring
• Public Health

Background:

• Air quality is crucial for public health, especially in urban areas.
• Festivals involving fireworks can lead to temporary but significant air pollution events.
• Understanding these impacts is vital for developing mitigation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of fireworks during the Diwali festival on ambient air quality in Hisar city, India.
• To quantify the changes in concentrations of key air pollutants.
• To correlate firework usage with observed air quality variations.

Main Methods:

• Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM10, and total suspended particulates (TSP) were measured.
• Data was collected during the Diwali festival in November 1999 and compared to a typical winter day in December 1999.
• Diurnal patterns and site-specific variations were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A significant short-term increase in air pollutant concentrations was observed during Diwali.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels increased approximately tenfold at some sites.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM10, and TSP concentrations increased 2-3 times compared to baseline levels.
• Maximum NO2 concentrations occurred the day after the festival.
• Pollutant levels showed a slight increase during nighttime hours.

Conclusions:

• Extensive firework use during Diwali drastically deteriorates local air quality.
• The observed levels of SO2, NO2, PM10, and TSP were moderately high, indicating potential health risks for residents.
• Further research and public health advisories are recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of festival-related air pollution.