Characteristics of Atmospheric Metalliferous Particles during Large-Scale Fireworks in Korea

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.

Temporal Changes in Air Quality during a Festival Season in Kannur, India

“…Figure 4 shows the PM 10 variation for 24 h (08:00 to 08:00) during the Vishu festival days for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. From the graph, it is evident that the particle loading was much higher on 14 uncertainties under low turbidities. The curvature of ln τ versus ln λ depends strongly on atmospheric conditions and the Angstrom exponent.…”

“…An analysis of the results further reveals an abrupt change in AOD and Angstrom size parameter (α and β) values with the burning of firecrackers associated with the Vishu festival. Figure 2 shows the mean AOD values for different wavelengths from 9 to 13 April (Pre Vishu), 14 The increase in AOD is found to be much higher at low wavelength regions than at high wavelength regions, indicating the distinct abundance of fine mode particles on the day of the fireworks. A decline in spectral AOD values in the pre-, post-, and Vishu days is observed and this shows severe loading of particles because of firecrackers.…”

“…Figure 4 shows the PM10 variation for 24 h (08:00 to 08:00) during the Vishu festival days for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. From the graph, it is evident that the particle loading was much higher on 14 The metal analyses for Na, Hg, Cu, Pb, Ba, Ca, Fe, and Zn were carried out from PM10 samples collected on the pre-Vishu day (13 April), Vishu day (15 April), and post-Vishu day (17 April) for 24 h during the study period. The identified concentrations of the eight metals for 24 h (08:00 to 08:00) on pre-, post-, and Vishu days for three continuous years are shown in Table 3.…”

“…Air pollution, whether by toxic chemicals or biological materials, severely affects human health [1,2]. Air quality can deteriorate through short-term polluting events and there are several studies of such events and their health effects [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The burning of fireworks during festivals has been sporadic, but contributes high loading of the atmosphere with air pollutants.…”

Review on physicochemical properties of pollutants released from fireworks: environmental and health effects and prevention

“…Traditional festivals which are characterized by the burning of fireworks include Independence Day in the US (Wang et al 2012), France's Commemoration of the French Revolution (Bastille day in France), the Las Fallas in Spain (Moreno et al 2007), the Lantern Festival and Spring Festival in China (Wang et al 2007;Tian et al 2014 ), Diwali Festival in India (Prakash et al 2013), Guy Fawkes Day (or Bonfire Night) in the UK (Agus et al 2008), and New Year's Eve celebrations across the world (Drewnick et al 2006;Burkart et al 2010;Licudine et al 2011;Kwasny et al 2009). Some typical official celebrations include the Busan Culture in Korea (Shon et al 2015), the Millennium celebrated in Germany (Wehner et al 2000), the celebration of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Championship in Italy (Vecchi et al 2008)…”