The Impact of Fireworks Emissions on Air Quality in Delhi, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out during the Diwali fireworks period in the month of November over an urban site in Delhi, India. This article concludes that the burning of crackers and sparkles are a strong source of metals, organic carbon, elemental carbon and particulate matter pollution, and that firecrackers burning adversely affects ambient air quality. Morevoer, the release of certain toxic elements and gases such as aluminum, barium, strontium and chlorine can have particualry negative health affects on people suffering with respiratory ailements. Public awareness is needed to control air pollution caused due to the display of fireworks.

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility (AIRF) for SEM-EDX analysis and School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, for providing the necessary facility to carry out this research.

Additional information

Funding

One of the authors, Akash Kumar Singh, gratefully acknowledge the University Grant Commission (UGC), Government of India, for providing financial support in the form of Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).

Notes on contributors

Akash Kumar Singh

Akash Kumar Singh completed his Master's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Delhi and M. Phil degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is currently engaged in his doctoral research at the School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, with Dr. Arun Srivastava as his supervisor.

Arun Srivastava

Dr. Arun Srivastava is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His research interest includes microphysics of aerosols, bio-aerosol, source apportionment and air pollution meteorology.