Chemical characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 combusted firecracker particles during Diwali of Lucknow City, India: air-quality deterioration and health implications

Urban air pollution is a growing menace leading to human discomfort, increased hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. This study deals with deteriorated air quality due to firecracker bursting during Diwali in Lucknow. Inhalable particulates and gaseous pollutants were monitored during Diwali 2020 using air samplers. Elements, ions, and surface morphology of particles were analyzed using ICP-MS, ion chromatograph, and SEM-EDX, respectively. PM 10 , PM 2.5 , SO 2 , and NO 2 were 558, 352, 44, and 86 μg/m 3 during Diwali night and 233, 101, 17, and 40 μg/m 3 on pre-Diwali night while 241, 122, 24, and 43 μg/m 3 on Diwali day. Concentrations surged for PM 10 : 139% and 132%, PM 2.5 : 249% and 189%, SO 2 : 159% and 83%, and NO 2 : 115% and 100% on Diwali night compared to pre-Diwali night and corresponding Diwali day, respectively. Al, K, Ba, and B showed dominance in PM 10 whereas Zn, Al, Ba, and K in PM 2.5 on Diwali night. The order of metal abundance in PM 2.5 was Cd < Co < Ag < As < Cr