When celebration becomes a problem – a joint study of India and Poland

Does the joy of fireworks come at a price? Researchers from the University of Gour Banga, Malda, West Bengal, and the Centre for Climate Research of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland) teamed up to find out. In a joint study, they monitored air quality during two major holidays: Diwali in India and New Year’s Eve in Poland.

Diwali, known as the “festival of lights,” is one of India’s most important holidays, celebrated with lights and fireworks – a symbol of the victory of light over darkness. New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, is a global tradition of welcoming the new year, also with bang and flash.

Although the two events take place in different climates and urban conditions, the findings were surprisingly similar – and disturbing. In both cases, there was a sharp increase in air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), exceeding acceptable standards. What’s more, the presence of toxic metals, dangerous to health – especially for children – was detected.

This shows that the problem of so-called “holiday smog” knows no bounds. That’s why it’s so important to conduct regular monitoring and look for practical solutions to help reduce the negative impact of festivities on the environment and people’s health, researchers from the Climate Research Center stress.

The Polish part of the research was funded under the NCN project – SONATA 16:
“Air pollution in roadside environments of large cities: Phytoremediation of Microplastics, Particulate Matter and Heavy Metals and Their Effects on Vegetation and Insects,” carried out under a grant received by Robert Popek, Ph.D., professor of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040442

Abstract

Festivals are significant markers of cultural heritage and community traditions. Nevertheless, every year, significant increases in pollution levels are recorded during celebratory events, due to the overuse of firecrackers. This study evaluated gaseous and particulate matter (PM) concentrations using a gas and particulate sampler, alongside noise levels measured by a sound level meter, during the pre-to-post-Diwali period of 2023 and 2024 in Malda, India, and PM concentrations in Warsaw, Poland in 2024, using a DustAir dust meter. The results indicated that during Diwali, the concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁ exceeded the standard set by the World Health Organization, while gaseous pollutants remained within acceptable limits. Since no standards set for PM₁ exist, PM_2.5 criteria were utilized as a benchmark. Additionally, on New Year’s Eve in Warsaw, concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ surpassed the standard around midnight, while gaseous pollutants remained within the standard range. An elemental analysis revealed 13 elements in Diwali PM samples, with toxic metals like arsenic and cadmium more prevalent in PM₁. The risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects through ingestion was higher for children compared to adults. The findings of this study could potentially raise awareness among researchers and policymakers, prompting them to develop sustainable substitutes for firecrackers and sparklers.