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Nath A, Paul B, Deka P. Chemical characterization of road dust during diwali festival in Guwahati city of Assam, Northeast India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:484. [PMID: 38684530 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The present study focuses on the elemental analysis of road dust in Guwahati, the largest city of Assam and the largest metropolis of Northeast India during the Diwali festival. Road dust samples were collected on pre-Diwali (PD), the Day after Diwali (DaD), and one week after Diwali (WaD) from two sites (Lankeshwar; LKW and Patharquarry; PTQ). Three composite samples were collected from 3 points at each site. The elemental concentration was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of Ba and Sr increased by 1.6 and 1.7 times, respectively, after Diwali. Among other firework-related elements (FREs), Mg, Al, K, and Cu increased at LKW following Diwali (both DaD and WaD), whereas Mg, Al, and K increased in DaD dust at PTQ. The average concentration of Traffic Related Elements (TREs) at PTQ was significantly higher than at LKW (p < 0.05; 75.40 mg/kg vs 63.96 mg/kg). Cd had the highest enrichment (EF), followed by Ni and Zn. EF for Cd, Ni, and Zn ranged from high to extremely high enrichment. Ni and Cd exhibited moderate contamination (CF). The ecological risk (ER) values for Cd at LKW and PTQ were 54.32 and 56.71, respectively, indicating a moderate ER. Pearson's correlation was performed to study the relationship between elements, while PCA analysis was used to identify the main sources of these elements. Although the health hazard indices presently do not suggest any immediate danger, hazard quotient (HQ) values for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure were higher for children than adults. In children, the contribution of HQing to HI (total risk) was the highest, accounting for more than 65% of all elements. There is no apparent lifetime cancer risk due to road dust exposure through inhalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Nath
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam-784028, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Baishali Paul
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam-784028, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Pratibha Deka
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam-784028, Tezpur, Assam, India.
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Wayman JP, Atkinson G, Jahangir M, White D, Matthews TJ, Antoniou M, Reynolds SJ, Sadler JP. L-band radar quantifies major disturbance of birds by fireworks in an urban area. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12085. [PMID: 37495643 PMCID: PMC10372142 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fireworks and other pyrotechnics are acknowledged as sources of disturbance to wildlife, with evidence that many species react adversely to their sight and sound at discharge. However, how firework releases impact wildlife within a city landscape is poorly understood. Here, we explore the effect of fireworks on urban birds using an L-band staring radar (90-degree sector out to a 5 km range) to capture bird activity derived from flight tracks (i.e. 3D visualisation of individual flying birds built from radar detections) within the city of Birmingham, UK. Comparing the tracks between baseline periods with no fireworks and periods where fireworks are commonly discharged using a null model indicated that birds flew at higher elevations during firework periods (standardised effect sizes of 17.11, 26.54 and 5.83, for Diwali, Bonfire Night, and New Year's Eve, respectively). Birds also flew in more significant numbers (standardised effect sizes of 23.41, 7.98 and 7.19 for Diwali, Bonfire Night, and New Year's Eve, respectively). Therefore, bird activity was elevated during firework events at a time of night when many would otherwise be roosting. Such disturbance may have implications for avian biology since large public firework events occur at colder times of the year in the UK when birds have elevated thermoregulatory costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Wayman
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
| | - George Atkinson
- Microwave Integrated Systems Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Mohammed Jahangir
- Microwave Integrated Systems Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Daniel White
- Microwave Integrated Systems Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Thomas J Matthews
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
- CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group/CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute and Universidade dos Açores - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, PT-9700042, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michail Antoniou
- Microwave Integrated Systems Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - S James Reynolds
- Centre for Ornithology, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
- The Army Ornithological Society (AOS), c/o Prince Consort Library, Knollys Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
| | - Jon P Sadler
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Ornithology, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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Wankhede U, Khaparde VV, Balpande K, Shinde VM, Rayalu S. 'Green firecrackers' with reduced barium emissions in particulate matter. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120739. [PMID: 36435279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air quality is affected due to the emission of pollutants on a large scale after the bursting of firecrackers. Traditionally in all firecrackers, barium (Ba) compounds are used as oxidizers and also to impart green colour flame. Combustion products of barium compounds are water soluble and readily absorbed by the body affecting human health. Thus, the inherent risk of Ba pollution due to the bursting of firecrackers has consequent health effects. To reduce the ambient air pollution caused due to burning of conventional firecrackers, CSIR NEERI has developed reduced emission firecrackers (green crackers). This is achieved by reducing the amount of chemicals, barium nitrate, shell size and addition of additives such as zeolite and iron oxide. This study aims to specifically investigate the influence of additives on the level of barium in reduced emission firecrackers. Four types of conventional and reduced emission firecrackers were selected and tested inside a firecracker emission testing facility to check the levels of barium in PM10 and PM2.5. The measured mean concentrations of all types of reduced emission crackers (green crackers) provided by fireworks manufacturers show significantly reduced barium concentration by 30-60% compared to conventional crackers depending on the type of firecrackers, shell size and amount of chemicals used. The possible reason for reduced Ba level is attributed to i) reduced usage of Ba(NO3)2 and ii) formation of heavy density compounds, leading to soil fallout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utkarsha Wankhede
- Environmental Materials Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - V V Khaparde
- Air Pollution Control Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Krutika Balpande
- Air Pollution Control Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - V M Shinde
- Sophisticated Environmental Analytical Facility Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Sadhana Rayalu
- Environmental Materials Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India.
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Saxena P, Kumar A, Mahanta SSK, Sreekanth B, Patel DK, Kumari A, Khan AH, Kisku GC. Chemical characterization of PM 10 and PM 2.5 combusted firecracker particles during Diwali of Lucknow City, India: air-quality deterioration and health implications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:88269-88287. [PMID: 35831653 PMCID: PMC9281250 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21906-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Urban air pollution is a growing menace leading to human discomfort, increased hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. This study deals with deteriorated air quality due to firecracker bursting during Diwali in Lucknow. Inhalable particulates and gaseous pollutants were monitored during Diwali 2020 using air samplers. Elements, ions, and surface morphology of particles were analyzed using ICP-MS, ion chromatograph, and SEM-EDX, respectively. PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 were 558, 352, 44, and 86 μg/m3 during Diwali night and 233, 101, 17, and 40 μg/m3 on pre-Diwali night while 241, 122, 24, and 43 μg/m3 on Diwali day. Concentrations surged for PM10: 139% and 132%, PM2.5: 249% and 189%, SO2: 159% and 83%, and NO2: 115% and 100% on Diwali night compared to pre-Diwali night and corresponding Diwali day, respectively. Al, K, Ba, and B showed dominance in PM10 whereas Zn, Al, Ba, and K in PM2.5 on Diwali night. The order of metal abundance in PM2.5 was Cd < Co < Ag < As < Cr < Ni < Cu < Bi < Pb < Mn < Sr < Fe < B < Zn < Al < Ba < K. Cations NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and anions F-, Cl-, NO3-, Br-, NO2-, SO4-2, PO43- showed a 2-8 fold increase on Diwali night relative to pre-Diwali night. Average metal concentrations varied by 2.2, 1.6, and 0.09 times on Diwali than pre-Diwali in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, respectively. PM10 concentration increased by 458% and 1140% while PM2.5, 487%, and 2247% than respective NAAQS and WHO standards. Tiny firecracker particles vary in toxicity as compared to vehicular emissions and have enhanced bioavailability leading to severe threat in terms of LRI, COPD, and atherosclerosis for city dwellers. It is imperative to recognize the present status of ambient air quality and implement regulatory strategies for emission reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Saxena
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India
- Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP, 226007, India
| | - Ankit Kumar
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP, 201002, India
| | - S S Kalikinkar Mahanta
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP, 201002, India
| | - Bojjagani Sreekanth
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP, 201002, India
| | - Devendra Kumar Patel
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP, 201002, India
- Analytical Chemistry Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India
| | - Alka Kumari
- Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP, 226007, India
| | - Altaf Husain Khan
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India
| | - Ganesh Chandra Kisku
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31-Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP, 201002, India.
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Kölzsch A, Lameris TK, Müskens GJDM, Schreven KHT, Buitendijk NH, Kruckenberg H, Moonen S, Heinicke T, Cao L, Madsen J, Wikelski M, Nolet BA. Wild goose chase: Geese flee high and far, and with aftereffects from New Year's fireworks. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kölzsch
- Department of Migration Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Radolfzell Germany
- Department of Biology University of Konstanz Konstanz Germany
- Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) e.V. Verden Germany
| | - Thomas K. Lameris
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University Den Burg The Netherlands
| | | | - Kees H. T. Schreven
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Nelleke H. Buitendijk
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Helmut Kruckenberg
- Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) e.V. Verden Germany
| | - Sander Moonen
- Team Animal Ecology Wageningen Environmental Research Wageningen The Netherlands
- Institute of Avian Research Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | | | - Lei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology Research Center for Eco‐Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Ecoscience Aarhus University Rønde Denmark
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Radolfzell Germany
- Department of Biology University of Konstanz Konstanz Germany
| | - Bart A. Nolet
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
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The Chinese Spring Festival Impact on Air Quality in China: A Critical Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159074. [PMID: 35897443 PMCID: PMC9330068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
It is known that the sharp change of air pollutants affects air quality. Chinese Spring Festival is the most important holiday for Chinese people, and the celebration of the holiday with fireworks and the movement of people all around the country results in significant change in multiple air pollutant emissions of various sources. As many cities and rural areas suffer from the air pollution caused by firework displays and more residential fuel consumption, there is an urgency to examine the impact of the Chinese Spring Festival on air quality. Hence, this paper firstly gives an overall insight into the holiday's impact on ambient and household air quality in China, both in urban and rural areas. The main findings of this study are: (1) The firework displays affect the air quality of urban and rural atmosphere and household air; (2) the reduction in anthropogenic emissions improves the air quality during the Chinese Spring Festival; (3) the household air in urban areas was affected most by firework burning, while the household air in rural homes was affected most by fuel consumption; and (4) the short-term health impact of air pollution during the holidays also need more concern. Although there have been many publications focused on the holiday's impact on ambient and household air quality, most of them focused on the measurement of pollutant concentration, while studies on the formation mechanism of air pollution, the influence of meteorological conditions, and the health outcome under the effect of the Chinese Spring Festival are rare. In the future, studies focused on these processes are welcomed.
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Shah R, Limaye S, Ujagare D, Madas S, Salvi S. Personal exposures to particulate matter <2.5 μm in mass median aerodynamic diameter (PM 2.5) pollution during the burning of six most commonly used firecrackers in India. Lung India 2019; 36:324-329. [PMID: 31290418 PMCID: PMC6625239 DOI: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_440_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Shah
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sneha Limaye
- Chest Research Foundation, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dhammasagar Ujagare
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sapna Madas
- Chest Research Foundation, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Liu J, Chen Y, Chao S, Cao H, Zhang A. Levels and health risks of PM 2.5-bound toxic metals from firework/firecracker burning during festival periods in response to management strategies. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 171:406-413. [PMID: 30634092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.12.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Daily PM2.5 was collected in the periods before, during and after the Chinese Spring Festival (CSF) in both 2016 and 2018 to clarify the annual variation in the concentrations and health risks of toxic metals under different firework/firecracker (FF) management strategies. PM2.5 and bound metals all decreased during the CSF from 2016 to 2018. According to relative abundance analysis, toxic metals, i.e., Ba, Pb, Cu and Cr, showed obvious peak concentrations and abundance levels on intensive FF burning days, i.e., New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and the Lunar Festival. In both CSF periods, three sources of toxic metals, namely, FF burning, coal combustion, and resuspended dust and vehicle emissions, were identified by positive matrix factorization (PMF). Among them, the mass contribution of FF decreased from 0.83 μg m-3 (11%) in the 2016 CSF to 0.23 μg m-3 (9.0%) in the 2018 CSF. The FF-attributed noncancer and cancer risks due to metals for residents under long-term exposure were 0.02 (19.9%) and 1.76 × 10-7 (17.9%) in the 2016 CSF and 0.01 (20.2%) and 8.59 × 10-8 (14.7%) in the 2018 CSF. Although a policy shift from "restriction" to "prohibition" regarding FF has indeed decreased toxic metal concentrations and health risk, Cr(VI) and Ba should be examined more closely in the future because they have become dominant contributors to cancer risk and noncancer risk, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Liu
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanjiao Chen
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Sihong Chao
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Hongbin Cao
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Aichen Zhang
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Garaga R, Kota SH. Characterization of PM 10 and Impact on Human Health During the Annual Festival of Lights (Diwali). J Health Pollut 2018; 8:181206. [PMID: 30560005 PMCID: PMC6285675 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.20.181206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diwali is a Hindu holiday observed each autumn in India, where it is known as the 'celebration of lights'. Burning of fireworks on this day leads to air and noise pollution, causing adverse effects to human health. OBJECTIVES To monitor and analyze air quality and noise levels in a residential college campus in northeast India over Diwali 2015. METHODS Components of PM10, including metals (cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni)), ions (calcium (Ca2+), ammonium (NH4 +), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), nitrate (NO3-) and sulfate (SO4 2-)) and bacterial counts were studied for a period of ten days in November 2015. In addition, a health-based survey of patients attending the institute's hospital during those days was conducted to evaluate the risk level due to fireworks burning. RESULTS The mean PM10 concentration during Diwali, 311 μg/m3, was 81% higher than other days and 3.1-times higher the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards. While noise levels were increased by 65%, the concentration of bacteria in PM10 was reduced by 39% during Diwali compared to other days. The concentrations of metals, cations and anions were increased by 51%, 72% and 77%, respectively. A health study conducted during the analysis period revealed an increase in hospital admissions in the campus due to respiratory symptoms. The higher concentrations of metals during the Diwali period resulted in a 0.5% increase in the hazard index. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that reducing fireworks during Diwali could reduce pollutant concentrations and result in potential health benefits. PARTICIPANT CONSENT Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL The study and survey design were approved by the Institutional Bioethics Committee of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajyalakshmi Garaga
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, India
| | - Sri Harsha Kota
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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Lin CC. A review of the impact of fireworks on particulate matter in ambient air. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2016; 66:1171-1182. [PMID: 27600288 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2016.1219280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED To determine the impact of fireworks (FW) and firecrackers (FC) on particulate matter (PM) in ambient air, we reviewed evidence related to ambient PM during FW/FC periods; specifically, PM concentration, size, morphology, chemical components, including water-soluble ions and trace metals, and associated human health risks caused by exposure to FW/FC PM were reviewed. A large body of research suggests that outdoor ambient PM levels increase significantly during FW/FC displays. Furthermore, FW/FC PM remains suspended in the air, contributing to high PM concentrations for a long period. Increased PM from burning FW and FC mainly comprises fine and ultrafine spherical particles. Elevated levels of various trace metals, ions, elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and organics in PM are present during FW/FC periods. IMPLICATIONS Unique physical and chemical properties of ambient PM during short-term FW/FC burning can lead to a substantial increase in adverse health effects compared with during non-FW/FC periods. Further epidemiological and toxicological research into the potential health effects resulting from exposure to various pollutants from FW/FC is vital. Geographical distributions of PM concentrations during FW displays highlight the importance of implementing PM controls at the regional level and formulating stricter protective environmental legislation, particularly in Asian (e.g., India, China, or Taiwan) where festivals are not the only periods celebrated with FW/FC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chi Lin
- a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , National University of Kaohsiung , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
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Abstract
The world-wide use of fireworks with their consequent detrimental effect on the air quality is widely recognized with elevated ambient air levels of particulate matter and its several metallic components and gases identified in several studies carried out during such events. Exposed individuals may be at risk following inhalation of such produced pollutants. This review focuses on the impact of fireworks on air quality and the potential effect of fireworks on the respiratory system of healthy individuals as well as those suffering from underlying respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This applies not only to spectators including children but also to pyrotechnicians themselves. An extensive Medline search revealed that a strong evidence of the impact of fireworks on respiratory health is lacking in susceptible as well as healthy individuals with no formal studies on COPD or asthma, other than a few case reports in the latter. The implementation of global strategies to control the use of fireworks and hence improve air quality could possibly reduce their likely detrimental effect on human respiratory health in exposed individuals, but clearly a more targeted research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Gouder
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephen Montefort
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
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