Assessment of ambient air quality during Diwali and its associated health impacts in Delhi
Student name: Ms Shambhavi Shukla
Guide: Dr Prateek Sharma
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Sumit Sharma
Abstract: Firecrackers emit pollutants that can impact human health. In a heavily populated city like Delhi, the concentrations of pollutants on a festival like Diwali increase tremendously. This study assesses the trends of concentrations of air pollutants attributable to burning of firecracker and estimates emissions loads accounting for meteorological influences. Also, relationship was observed between the pollutants concentration, their emissions and the meteorological parameter. The concentration data was collected from Central Pollution Control Board for the year 2006-13 and the meteorological data was collected from http:// www.wunderground.com. Despite favourable meteorological conditions for dispersion, the pollutant concentrations appear to be high due to increased emissions from firecracker burning activity. Based on extensive literature review concentration of metals different crackers were found and thereby their emission loads were calculated. The concentration of heavy metals in RSPM was also calculated using a Fixed Box model. Concentration-response coefficients from Ostro (1994) have been used to estimate the morbidities due to pollution on the Diwali day. The overall health cost incurred in the city during 2006-2013 on account of firecracker burning is estimated using cost coefficients estimated in( Brandon et al., 1996 )for the year 1992. An extensive survey was conducted to understand the perception of individuals regarding burning of firecrackers and their impact on human health. The questionnaire also helped us to find approximately the money which people voluntarily spent on buying crackers.
Keywords: Firecrackers, RSPM, Meteorological Parameter, Fixed Box Model, Concentration-response coefficients
