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

Abstract

The effect of fireworks on air quality was assessed from the ambient concentrations of various air pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀ and TSP) during Diwali festival in Hisar city (India), in November 1999. The extensive use of fireworks was found to be related to short-term variation in air quality. During the festival the concentration of SO₂ was observed to be increased ∼10-fold at few sites, whereas the concentrations of NO₂, PM₁₀ and TSP increased 2–3 times, compared to the data collected on a typical winter day in December 1999. The maximum NO₂ concentration was observed a day after the festival. The diurnal pattern of the above pollutants showed a slight increase in the night. The levels of these pollutants observed during Diwali were found to be moderately high, which can be associated with serious health impacts.