SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF PM10, PM2.5 AND PM1 EMITTED DURING FIREWORKS IN INDIA

Abstract

Delhi is known to be one of the most polluted cities in the global world peculiarly during the period of October to January. These months fall during the time of main religious festivals of India with the most famous and important festival of Diwali. People argue that during this time the air quality of the city get worse due to the post effects of Diwali festival because of the extensive use of burning of fireworks by the urban and rural people which emits large amount of atmospheric Particulate Matter. Bursting of fireworks during the time of festival can lead to a short- term range air quality problems. This study focused on the variation of the levels of Particulate Matter which includes PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 during the interval of bursting of fireworks. The concentrations of particulate pollutants were measured for 4 consecutive days during the end of the October’19 at DTU (Delhi Technological University) campus which is institutional cum residential area in Delhi. The study was done so that we can know the harmful impacts of fireworks on the Particulate Matter levels in the atmospheric air of Delhi. On the day of festival i.e. Diwali, PM10, PM2.5, PM1 average mean concentrations was noticed to be 324.9, 173.45 and 139.03 μg/m3 respectively which were quite much higher than the normal day levels. The mean concentrations of PM2.5 & PM10 of each day were found to be higher than 24 hour standards as prescribed by NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards). The regression analysis of PM (PM2.5 & PM10) was performed with gaseous pollutants (O3, NO2 CO and SO2) and Relative Humidity (RH), Temperature and Wind Speed. Among all the selected pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2), the Particulate Matter gave best correlation with CO with values (r=0.66) and (r=0.81) respectively and O3 showed inverse correlation with PM respectively on Diwali day. Regression analysis of PM10 & PM2.5 showed negative correlation factor with Temperature and strong positive correlation factor with RH and wind speed during Diwali day. Nevertheless, the increment in the mean concentrations of Diwali day was found to be highest from the ground level concentrations due to accumulation of the particles. The short term range health effects caused by Particulate Matter concentration have been discussed. The above study shows that the regional pollution have a significant role leading to the hazardous effects due to deteriorating urban air quality in megacity like Delhi.