The Effects of Fireworks Discharge on Atmospheric PM 2.5 Concentration in the Chinese Lunar New Year

Xuechen Zhang, Huanfeng Shen, Tongwen Li and Liangpei Zhang
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Xuechen Zhang: School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
Huanfeng Shen: School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
Tongwen Li: School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
Liangpei Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-19

Abstract: Discharging fireworks during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations is a deep-rooted custom in China. In this paper, we analyze the effect of this cultural activity on PM 2.5 concentration using both ground observations and satellite data. By combining remote sensing data, the problem of uneven spatial distribution of ground monitoring has been compensated, and the research time span has been expanded. The results show that the extensive firework displays on New Year’s Eve lead to a remarkable increase in nationwide PM 2.5 concentration, which were 159~223% of the average level, indicating the instantaneous effect far exceeds that of any other factor over the whole year. However, the averaged PM 2.5 concentrations of the celebration period were 0.99~16.32 μg/m 3 lower compared to the average values of the corresponding pre-celebration period and post-celebration period, indicating the sustained effect is not very significant. The implementation of firework prohibition policies can greatly reduce the instantaneous PM 2.5 increase, but no obvious air quality improvement is observed over the entire celebration period. Combining these findings and the cultural significance of this activity, we recommend that this custom is actively maintained, using new technologies and scientific governance programs to minimize the negative effects.

Keywords: fireworks; PM 2.5 concentration; Chinese Lunar New Year; remote sensing; firework prohibition policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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