Abstract
The effect of large-scale firework events on urban background trace metal concentrations was investigated using 24 hr data collected over 3 days at three sites in Busan Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea, during the falls (Oct.) of 2011–2013. The firework events increased local background concentrations of trace metals as follows: K (1.72 times), Sr (2.64 times), As (2.86 times), Pb (2.91 times), and Al (5.44 times). The levels of some metals did not always drop to background level one day after the firework event. The contribution of fireworks to trace metal concentration levels (and emissions) for 2011 event was negligible compared to 2012 and 2013 events due to different meteorological conditions (precipitation). In addition, the impact of firework events on the ambient concentration levels of trace metals was likely to be different depending on their chemical speciation. The impact of firework events in Busan on urban air quality (trace metal) was less intense compared to other similar festivals worldwide. The largest emission of trace metals and elements from firework burning was represented by K (128–164 kg), followed by Pb, Cd, Cu, Mg, Ba, As, Al, Ga, Co, and Na.
Highlights
Enhancement of trace metal loading in the air is of great concern to air quality, as it adversely affects human health
Sampling site a factor of 1.5 (A1), an air quality monitoring site operated by Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health & Environment (BMCIHE), is located 2.0 km west of the bridge (DB); site A2 is located in a regional office of Busan Environmental Corporation, 1.1 km south of the DB; and site A3 is located at Busan Yachting
The concentrations of Pb (37 ng m−3) and Cu (26 ng m−3) in TSP during the BFF in 2013 were somewhat higher than their annual mean concentrations in PM10 (27 and 22 ng m−3, resp.), whereas Cd concentration (
Summary
Enhancement of trace metal loading in the air is of great concern to air quality, as it adversely affects human health. Sporadic firework (crackers and sparkles) burning is one of the unique sources of airborne particles that include massive amounts of trace metals such as Zn, Ba, Pb, K, and Sr during a short period of time [3]. Fireworks contain various chemicals, such as potassium nitrate, potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, charcoal, sulfur, manganese, sodium oxalate, aluminum and iron dust powder, strontium nitrate, and barium nitrate, for their own purposes [7] Potassium salts such as nitrate, chlorate, and perchlorate are widely used as oxidizers in fireworks. Pb can be used for achieving a steady and reproducible burning rate [9] Despite their toxicity, a limited number of studies on metal emissions from fireworks have been reported in the literature [10, 11]. In Passant [10], the contribution
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