Burning Of Firecrackers Research Articles

Assessment of ambient air quality in relation to the burning of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali: A case study of Jodhpur City (India).

The study attempts to examine the impact of firework activities during Diwali Festival on ambient air quality of Jodhpur city. Air quality parameters particulate matter of diameter 10μm (PM10), particulate matter of diameter 2.5μm (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and heavy metals in PM2.5 like Pb, Ni, Ba, Al, As and Sr are monitored at two locations, for 15days, starting from 7days before the festival of Diwali, on the day of the festival (Diwali) and 7days after Diwali. On the occasion of Diwali, it was discovered that the 24-h average levels of various pollutants were significantly elevated compared to regular days preceding the festival. Specifically, at the HBO site, the concentrations were notably increased, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) reaching 5.62 times higher, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at 3 times higher, particulate matter of diameter 10μm (PM10) at 2.35 times higher, and particulate matter of diameter 2.5μm (PM2.5) at 1.01 times higher than the usual levels before Diwali. Similarly, at the PTMM site, there were substantial elevations in pollutant concentrations during Diwali compared to pre-festival days, with SO2 registering 2.53 times higher, NO2 at 2.37 times higher, PM2.5 at 1.9 times higher, and PM10 at 1.57 times higher levels than normal. Concentration of Al, Ba, Sr and Pb at HBO site and Al at PTMM site was highest on Diwali day. Air quality index which was in good category on normal days before Diwali, fell into poor category starting from the day before Diwali and remain in poor category on normal days after Diwali. The result indicates the worsening of ambient air quality during Diwali which can adversely impact the human health in terms of various respiratory complications.

Assessment of air quality in Lucknow, India during the festival of Diwali for four successive years amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of Diwali crackers on air quality in Lucknow, India. The monitoring of PM10, PM2.5, NOX and SOX was carried out in residential areas for Pre-Diwali (Pre-D), Diwali and Post-Diwali (Post-D) during four consecutive years. The variation in average levels of PM2.5, PM10, SO2 and NO2 were recorded during Diwali celebrations of 2019(1.59, 1.51, 1.66 and 1.39), 2020(1.75, 1.65, 1.24 and 1.29), 2021(1.65, 1.56, 1.53 and 1.38) and 2022(1.58, 1.53, 1.45 and 1.42) times higher, respectively than Pre-D. Similarly, during Post-D in 2019(1.21, 1.16, 0.98 and 0.98), 2020(1.18, 1.03, 0.92 and 0.88), 2021(1.15, 1.08, 0.99 and 0.96) and 2022(1.59, 1.07, 1.01 and 0.98) times higher, respectively regarding to Pre-D. The level of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 during Diwali were found higher in 2019(1.44, 1.21, 1.52 and 1.37)*, 2020(1.29, 1.12, 1.35 and 1.17)** and 2022(1.38, 1.15, 144 and 1.31) respectively, concerning to 2020. However, AQI level during Pre-D*, Diwali** and Post-D were surges in 2019(23%*, 21%** and 30%), 2021(15%*, 13%** and 16%)** and 2022(20%*, 16%*, and 19%) respectively than 2020, due to burning of firecrackers. However, significant decline in air pollutants (APs) in 2020 was attributed due to controlled use of firecrackers along with restricted anthropogenic activities because of nationwide lockdown. The result indicates, the concentration of APs was significantly increased due to firecrackers during Diwali 2019–2022. This study will be helpful for many policy makers and concerned authorities to proper implementation of pollution management strategies to reduce this phenomenon.

Assessment of suspended particulate matter and heavy metal analysis during Diwali festival at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

Diwali is an important festival in India, and a lot of firecracker bursting takes place in every part of the country during festive occasions. The short-term effect of firecrackers on ambient air quality was assessed by monitoring suspended particulate matter (SPM) and heavy metal analysis (iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni)) during the Diwali festival at the urban-industrial city of Raipur, India, from 3 to 11 November 2018. The daily average SPM concentrations were found to be about two times higher on 7 November (Diwali; 425.64 µg/m3) and 8 November (next day of Diwali; 417.92 µg/m3) compared with that on 3 November (pre-Diwali day; 247.56 µg/m3). Heavy metal analysis (iron, zinc, lead, manganese and nickel) was carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the same concentration trend in the order of iron > zinc > lead > manganese > nickel was found during day- and night-time. A significant increment in SPM and heavy metal concentrations was observed post-Diwali. Back-trajectory analysis revealed that the trajectories at surface level (50 and 1000 m above ground level) originated from local sources, showing local anthropogenic activities such as burning of firecrackers and industrial activities as a major pollution source. The wind rose diagram shows a higher SPM concentration when the wind was north-easterly. The present study reveals that pollution levels were considerably increased during Diwali and firecracker bursting played a major role by contributing to air pollution.

A Survey Report on Rise in Respiratory Illnesses Due to Air Pollution and Its Homoeopathic Management

Abstract Background and Objectives Every year just when monsoon starts retreating, we start seeing adverse meteorological conditions for dispersion. There are multiple factors that lead to higher pollution levels, including industrial and motor vehicle emissions, crop stubble burning and burning of fire crackers during Diwali period.The novel human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed more than 1,090, 921 lives worldwide, causing tremendous public health, social and economic damages. While the risk factors of COVID-19 are still under investigation, environmental factors, such as urban air pollution, may play an important role in increasing population susceptibility to COVID-19 pathogenesis. Long-term exposure to NO2, which largely arises from urban combustion sources such as traffic, may enhance susceptibility to severe COVID-19 outcomes, independent of long-term particulate matter 2.5 and O3 exposure. Prolonged exposure to this urban traffic-related air pollutant may be an important risk factor of severe COVID-19 outcomes.A survey was done in 2019 during the pre- and post-Diwali period to assess the increase in number of cases reported with various respiratory troubles. Methods A cross-sectional survey was done on patients coming with respiratory problems in the outpatient department of the hospital in year 2019 for 10 days prior to Diwali (Group 1) and 10 days after Diwali (Group 2). Patients presenting with respiratory ailments were figured out during this time period and this data was analysed. Results In Group 1, the number of respiratory complaints' patients was 238 (i.e. 7.9%) which raised to 378 (i.e. 11.9%) in Group 2 patients. Conclusion This study showed that there was a sharp rise in patients of upper respiratory tract infections reporting in the hospital (Group 2) and results of homoeopathic medicines in treating those complaints was encouraging.

Variations in chemical composition of aerosol during Diwali over mega city Delhi, India

In the present study, we have investigated the spatio-temporal variation in concentrations of PM2.5 and its chemical constituents [organic carbon, elemental carbon, water-soluble organic carbon, levoglucosan, and water-soluble inorganic ions, organics] during pre-Diwali, Diwali, and post-Diwali days (13-30th October 2017) in Delhi. PM2.5 has been collected from seven strategic locations spread across the city. The massive burning of firecrackers during the Diwali festival give rise to remarkably high concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM), organics, trace gases, and elements. Such undesirable mass loading of air pollutants over a short period degraded ambient air quality for several days after the festival, prompted us to investigate the impact of short-term air quality degradations events. The average concentration of PM2.5 over Delhi during pre-Diwali days, Diwali day and post-Diwali days have been recorded 169 ± 51 μg/m3, 521 ± 307 μg/m3 and 193 ± 61 μg/m3, respectively with maximum observed at site 3 (903 μg/m3) and minimum at site 7 (141 μg/m3). The mass concentrations of the markers for biomass and firecrackers burning (OC, levoglucosan, WSOC, and K+, etc.) and mass ratios showed a significant increase in trend during the festive period.

Air Quality in Six Northern Indian Cities During Diwali 2020: The Real Tragedy in Disguise

North Indian cities have been highly polluted, especially in winters, which coincide with the Diwali festival. This year, the government imposed ban on the burning of firecrackers. This study was undertaken from 4th-21st November, 2020 to monitor the air quality variation with respect to PM10 and PM2.5 for Delhi, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Greater Noida and Bulandshahar cities during and post Diwali period, to know whether there was any impact of the warnings. The hourly variations in the AQI were very poor between 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. on Diwali day. Significant short term variation in the AQI was observed during the night. A weak positive correlation was obtained between the temperature and AQI, whereas a negative relationship was established with humidity. As compared to last year’s AQI, higher values were obtained this year. The short-term variation in air quality may prove crucial in future in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Short-term variability on particulate and gaseous emissions induced by fireworks during Diwali celebrations for two successive years in outdoor air of an urban area in Delhi, India

This study was conducted at a traffic-congested residential area of Delhi, India, to assess the effect of firecrackers burning on air pollutants concentrations for two successive years 2017 and 2018. The temporal variation of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO2, SO2, inhalable, thoracic and alveolic particles) was assessed by doing diurnal monitoring of air pollutants five days before, after and on the day of Diwali. The increased level of PM was observed as 1.6–2.8 times high on Diwali as measured on pre and post-Diwali. The gaseous pollutants have also exhibited significant increase in pollution during late night hours of Diwali day. The higher level of pollutants has been observed during late night hours than evening hours. R2 > 0.81 has been observed between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 with inhalable, thoracic and alveoli particles, respectively. Although AQI was observed very high for both the sampling years, a significant reduction of 35%, 22% and 43% was observed in AQI during 2018 in comparison with 2017 during pre-Diwali, Diwali and post-Diwali, respectively. Such high significant variations were attributed to more stubble burning practices during 2017 and adverse meteorological conditions during 2018. The other factors like variation in the month of Diwali celebration, rules and regulations regarding burning of firecrackers during different years also play a significant contribution toward lowering the pollution level during 2018. Such high levels of particulate matter during Diwali episode have serious threats to human health.

Environmental impacts of fireworks on aerosol characteristics and radiative properties over a mega city, India

The study focusses to investigate the variations in aerosol characteristics, concentrations and radiative properties due to the burning of firecrackers during Diwali festival event followed with New year festival celebrations over a representative urban environment. A six day's long intensive in situ measurements of Black Carbon, Particulate Matter and Aerosol Optical Depth were collected to capture pre to post-Diwali and New Year festival celebrations marked with massive fireworks. We observed an increase of 286%, 89.5%, and 60.5%, in BC, PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations, respectively on festival night as compared to pre-event days. An increase in in situ measured AOD is comparable with concurrent satellite derived AOD. Angstrom exponent, α > 1.0 along with high turbidity coefficient; β estimated for the festival period clearly implies the abundance of fine-mode particles, probably the smoke aerosols loading from fireworks. The Mie-scattered return signals received by the ground based Raman LiDAR at 532 nm showed an increased concentration of ‘anthropogenic aerosols’, attributed to the increased crackers activity. Space based CALIPSO LiDAR observations also validate the presence of ‘polluted dust’ and ‘smoke’ types aerosols at the near surface to 5 km altitude over the study area. A sharp increase in gaseous air pollutants like SO2 and NOx concentrations exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards is also observed. The COART model run simulations in SWIR region showed an increased ‘cooling’ at the surface (−125 Wm−2 to −185 Wm−2) as compared to ‘warming’ in the atmosphere during the event period. A maximum heating rate (1.9 Kday−1) due to total aerosol radiative forcing is also estimated. These investigations provide useful insights into the impact of burning firecrackers on urban air quality besides radiative impacts at a regional scale. Such celebration induced air pollution events may lead to severe health impacts; particularly respiratory and cardiovascular ailments in the resident population.

A study on respiratory morbidities among school children post Diwali in Bangalore city

BACKGROUND: Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in the month of October/November throughout India. The burning of firecrackers during the festival releases a large number of air pollutants leading rise in ambient air pollution. Children are at risk of exposing to these chemicals and have shown an increased incidence of respiratory morbidities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify the magnitude of respiratory morbidities among school children post Diwali in Bengaluru city. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019 among school children aged between 10 and 16 years. METHODOLOGY: Schools coming under the urban field Practice area of Medical College and consenting for the study were selected by the simple random sampling. Students willing to participate from each school were selected by the simple random sampling. Each student was interviewed using the pretested semistructured questionnaire. STASTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were entered and analyzed using Epi-info 7.2.2.1. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation (SD), and proportions and inferential statistics such as the Chi-square test were used. RESULTS: A total of 637 participants were interviewed, of which 308 (48.35%) were boys and 329 (51.65%) were girls. The mean age of the study participants was 12.53 ± 1.65 years (mean ± SD). It was observed that 263 (41.28%) children were suffering from one or other respiratory morbidities. One hundred and thirty-five (21.19%) children were suffering from upper respiratory tract infection and 138 (21.66%) had lower respiratory tract infections. One hundred twenty-three (19.31%) suffered from allergic rhinitis, of which 59 (47.93%) had an exacerbation following Diwali. Twenty-seven (4.24%) were asthmatic, of which 17 (62.96%) experienced an exacerbation after Diwali. CONCLUSION: There is a high burden of respiratory morbidities among children following Diwali festival in Bangalore city.

Fabrications of Effluence Free Fire Cracker using Pyrotechnic Chemical Composition

The objective of the study is to increase the safety, health aspects in the workplace and to reduce the environment pollution which occurred during the burning of firecrackers by changing the chemical composition. The normal flash powder chemical composition used in firework industries are potassium nitrate (60%), Aluminum (20%), and sulfur (20%). During the burning of pyrotechnic composition, it releases harmful gases and it leads to health effects to the human being and it pollutes the environment. Similarly, during the preparation of the cracker, workers are exposed by safety hazards. In this work, the mixing ratio of aforementioned chemical powders are changed and thermal analysis, sensitivity analysis like friction, impact and performance test like noise level of firecrackers are carried out for both existing chemical composition and modified chemical composition and it is compared.

Assessment of the air quality and its impact on health and environment in India

Introduction: The health impact of air pollution caused by firecrackers used during festival time is an area of great concern in Indian population. Trapping of pollutants due to burning of firecrackers during Diwali and Dusshera festivals promotes the formation of smog, which leads to raise in respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and SPM values above the standard values. Aim: This study was designed to assess the air quality pre- and post-Diwali and Dusshera in North India and also to find out the exposure effect of poor air quality on the health of population as well as health risk assessment of the population. Materials and Methods: A total of 470 individuals of different age groups were interviewed during Dusshera festival (i.e., both pre- and post-Dusshera) in four chosen areas. Besides, 788 individuals of different age groups were interviewed during Diwali festival (i.e., both pre- and post-Diwali) in the same four areas. A total of 223 individuals also underwent pulmonary function testing (portable spirometry) on a random basis (fifty in each area, 3 days before and after Diwali). Results: The comparison of respiratory disease complaints pre- and post-Diwali showed that there was a significant increase in the complaints of cough post-Diwali among the participants of Kotla (6.7% vs. 28.9%). However, there was a significant decrease in cough and breathlessness post-Diwali in Parivesh Bhawan. The ambient air quality of three residential areas was within normal limits both pre- and post-Diwali with respect to sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, but there was an increase in the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 post-Diwali. Conclusion: The level of suspended particles in the air increases alarmingly which can be associated with eye, respiratory, and allergic problems. Crackers and fireworks were found to be the chief sources of air pollution during festivals in India. Even though the impact of Diwali is short term, the short-term exposure of these pollutants in the environment affects the standard values of air particulate and can cause health complications.

Personal exposures to particulate matter

Introduction:Diwali or the festival of lights is the most popular festival celebrated in India when firecrackers are burnt by almost every household for 3 days. Levels of ambient air pollution are reported to be very high during the Diwali festival in India. In this study, we aimed to measure and compare the personal exposure levels to particulate matter <2.5 μm in mass median aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) during burning of six of the most commonly used firecracker types in India.Methods:Sparklers, ground spinners, flower pots, pulpuls, a garland of 1000 sounding crackers, and snake tablets were burnt outdoors in an open area during the late evening hours. Minute by minute PM2.5 levels were measured at a distance and height from where they are normally burnt using Thermo pDR 1200, USA, and a set of five such experiments were conducted to examine the variability between the firecrackers.Results:When measured at a distance and height from where they are normally burnt, the burning of snake tablets produced the highest peak level of PM2.5 (64,500 mcg/m3), followed by a garland of 1000 sounding crackers (38,540 mcg/m3), pulpuls (28,950 mcg/m3), sparklers (10,390 mcg/m3), ground spinners (9490 mcg/m3) and flower pots (4860 mcg/m3).Conclusion:Burning of firecrackers produce extremely high levels of personal exposure to PM2.5 levels that are likely to have significant short-term and long-term adverse health effects. The initiative taken by the Supreme Court of India in 2017 to ban the sale of firecrackers seems to be a step in the right direction to reduce the adverse health impacts in the community.

Correction: Estimates of air pollution in Delhi from the burning of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200371.].

Estimates of air pollution in Delhi from the burning of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali.

Delhi has had the distinction of being one of the most polluted cities in the world, especially in the winter months from October—January. These months coincide with the religious festival of Diwali. It is argued that air quality gets worse in the aftermath of Diwali on account of firecrackers that get burned during the festival. We use hourly data on PM 2.5 particulate concentration from 2013 to 2017 to estimate the Diwali effect on air quality in Delhi. We improve on existing work by using the event study technique as well as a difference-in-difference regression framework to estimate the Diwali effect on air quality. The results suggest that Diwali leads to a small, but statistically significant increase in air pollution. The effect is different across locations within Delhi. To our knowledge, this is the first causal estimate of the contribution of Diwali firecracker burning to air pollution.

Impact of Diwali firework emissions on air quality of New Delhi, India during 2013-2015

Diwali is one of the major and most important festivals celebrated all over India which falls in the period late October to early November every year. It is associated with burning of firecrackers especially during the night of Diwali day that leads to degradation of air quality that lasts for a longer duration of time. Firecrackers on burning releases huge amount of trace gases such as NOx, CO, SO2 and O3 and huge amount of aerosols and particulate matter. The present study focuses on the influence of firecrackers emissions on surface ozone(O3) ,oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)concentration over the capital urban metropolis of India, New Delhi during Diwali festivity period from 2013-2015. A sharp increase is observed in surface ozone, NOx and particulate matter concentration during the Diwali day as compared to control day for 2013 to 2015 which is mainly attributed to burning of firecrackers. However the average concentration levels of the gaseous pollutants and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) on Diwali day exhibited a decline in 2015 and 2014 as compared to 2013 due to increase in awareness campaigns among public and increased cost of firecrackers.

Status of Air Quality and Noise Level of Udaipur City, India during Diwali Festival

Diwali is one of the most important and commonly celebrated festivals by Hindu religion followers in India which falls normally during period October-November every year. This festival extensive burning of firecrackers, especially in the evening hours, is witnessed with hence burnt crackers releases various gaseous and particulate air pollutants and toxic metals in significant quantity and became responsible for degradation of the air quality as a whole in the adjoining areas. It has been observed that the widespread use of sparklers leads to short-term air quality degradation. So, for assessment of the effect of fireworks on the air quality on ambient concentrations of various air pollutants (SO2, NO2, SPM, RSPM) and Noise level during Diwali festival in Udaipur city (India), data were collected in November 2014. The levels of these pollutants during study schedule were recorded as moderately high, than the National standards, which can cause serious health hazards in local population.

Impacts of firecracker burning on aerosol chemical characteristics and human health risk levels during the Chinese New Year Celebration in Jinan, China

Measurements for size distribution and chemical components (including water-soluble ions, OC/EC and trace elements) of particles were taken in Jinan, China, during the 2008 Chinese New Year (CNY) to assess the impacts of firecracker burning on aerosol chemical characteristics and human health risk levels. On the eve of the CNY, the widespread burning of firecrackers had a clear contribution to the number concentration of small accumulation mode particles (100–500nm) and PM2.5 mass concentration, with a maximum PM2.5 concentration of 464.02μg/m3. The firecracker activities altered the number size distribution of particles, but had no influence on the mass size distribution of major water-soluble ions. The concentrations of aerosol and most ions peaked in the rush hour of firecracker burning, whereas the peaks of NO3− and NH4+ presented on the day following the burning of firecrackers. K+, SO42− and Cl− composed approximately 62% of the PM2.5 mass, and they existed as KCl and K2SO4 during the firecracker period. However, during the non-firecracker period, organic matter (OM), SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ were the major chemical components of the PM2.5, and major ions were primarily observed as (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. Estimates of non-carcinogenic risk levels to human health showed that the elemental risk levels during the firecracker period were substantially higher than those observed during the non-firecracker period. The total elemental risk levels in Jinan for the three groups (aged 2–6years, 6–12years and ≥70years) were higher than 2 during the firecracker period, indicating that increased pollutant levels emitted from the burning of firecrackers over short periods of time may cause non-carcinogenic human health risks.

The impact assessment of Diwali fireworks emissions on the air quality of a tropical urban site, Hyderabad, India, during three consecutive years

Diwali is one of the largest festivals for Hindu religion which falls in the period October-November every year. During the festival days, extensive burning of firecrackers takes place, especially in the evening hours, constituting a significant source of aerosols, black carbon (BC), organics, and trace gases. The widespread use of sparklers was found to be associated with short-term air quality degradation events. The present study focuses on the influence of Diwali fireworks emissions on surface ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), and BC aerosol concentration over the tropical urban region of Hyderabad, India during three consecutive years (2009-2011). The trace gases are analyzed for pre-Diwali, Diwali, and post-Diwali days in order to reveal the festivity's contribution to the ambient air quality over the city. A twofold to threefold increase is observed in O3, NO x , and BC concentrations during the festival period compared to control days for 2009-2011, which is mainly attributed to firecrackers burning. The high correlation coefficient (~0.74) between NO x and SO2 concentrations and higher SO2/NO x (S/N) index suggested air quality degradation due to firecrackers burning. Furthermore, the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation-derived aerosol subtyping map also confirmed the presence of smoke aerosols emitted from firecrackers burning over the region. Nevertheless, the concentration level of pollutants exhibited substantial decline over the region during the years 2010 and 2011 compared to 2009 ascribed to various awareness campaigns and increased cost of firecrackers.

Influence of burning of fireworks on particle size distribution of PM10 and associated Barium at Nagpur

Influence of burning of fireworks on particle size distribution of PM(10) and associated barium (Ba) were studied at a congested residential cum commercial area of Nagpur city, India. Sampling was carried out by cascade impactor having 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameters of <10, 9, 5.8, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1, 0.7, and <0.4 μm, 2 days before diwali, during diwali, celebrations of marriage functions, and New Year's Eve. Noticeably, increased levels of PM(10) and Ba were observed during diwali as compared to days before diwali and other activities. PM(10) levels were increased by four to nine times whereas Ba levels were increased by eight to 20 times higher in alveolar region, when compared with the levels observed before diwali. Probability of deposition of Ba mass in alveolar region varied between 14 and 27 ng/h with higher deposition when the burning of fireworks activity was lower near the site. Trimodal distribution of Ba was observed on the first 2 days of diwali at 0.4-2.1, 2.1-4.7, and 4.7 to less than PM(10) micrometer range. While on the third day, it appeared bimodal with 70% contribution in coarse fraction whereas on the fourth day, distribution appeared unimodal with 66% contribution in alveolar region (<0.4-1.1 μm). Distribution of Ba varied with respect to particle size, in accordance with the intensity of the fireworks used on different days and distance between the burning of firecrackers from the monitoring site.